International Review of Education

, Volume 54, Issue 5–6, pp 697–711 | Cite as

Adult Literacy in Africa: The Push and Pull Factors

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Abstract

This paper examines the question of why Africa has made such slow progress towards the goal of eradicating illiteracy, and why it remains an exceptionally disadvantaged region in this respect. The article surveys the history of the development of literacy in Africa from colonial times to the present day, focusing on the role of adult education in pursuing the goal of universal literacy. The author seeks to identify both the “push” factors (those favouring the pursuit of this goal) and the “pull” factors (the obstacles and hindrances), examining these factors at the local, national and international levels. The author concludes that, while the literacy challenge in Africa remains a formidable one, there are examples of successful initiatives that give hope for the future.

Keywords

Adult Literacy Adult Education Literacy Programme Pull Factor Colonial Power 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

Résumé

ALPHABÉTISATION DES ADULTES EN AFRIQUE: LES FACTEURS D’AVANCÉE ET DE RECUL – Cet article considère la question de savoir pourquoi l’Afrique n’a accompli qu’une progression très lente vers le but de la suppression de l’analphabÉtisme, et pourquoi elle demeure une rÉgion particulièrement dÉfavorisÉe à cet Égard. L’article Étudie l’histoire du dÉveloppement de l’alphabÉtisation en Afrique de la pÉriode coloniale jusqu’à nos jours, se concentrant sur le rôle de l’Éducation des adultes poursuivant le but de l’alphabÉtisation universelle. L’auteur cherche à identifier aussi bien les facteurs d’«avancÉe» (ceux favorisant la poursuite de ce but) et les facteurs de «recul» (les obstacles et les entraves), examinant ces facteurs aux niveaux locaux, nationaux et internationaux. L’auteur conclut que, alors que le dÉfi de l’alphabÉtisation en Afrique reste redoutable, il y a des exemples d’initiatives rÉussies qui donnent de l’espoir en l’avenir.

Zusammenfassung

ZUR ALPHABETISIERUNG VON ERWACHSENEN IN AFRIKA: VORANTREIBENDE UND ZURÜCKHALTENDE KRÄFTE – Dieser Beitrag beschÄftigt sich mit der Frage, warum in Afrika die Fortschritte bei der Verfolgung des Ziels der Abschaffung des Analphabetentums nur so zögerlich verlaufen und warum Afrika in dieser Hinsicht immer noch zu den am stÄrksten benachteiligten Regionen zÄhlt. Der Artikel gibt einen geschichtlichen Überblick Über die Entwicklung der Alphabetisierung in Afrika von der Kolonialzeiten bis heute, unter besonderer BerÜcksichtigung der Rolle der Erwachsenenbildung bei der Verfolgung des Ziels universeller Alphabetisierung. Der Autor bemÜht sich um die Kenntlichmachung sowohl der treibenden, diesem Ziel förderlichen KrÄfte als auch der zurÜckhaltenden und behindernden KrÄfte und ÜberprÜft diese Faktoren auf lokaler, nationaler und internationaler Ebene. Der Autor kommt zu dem Ergebnis, dass die Alphabetisierung in Afrika nach wie vor vor enormen Herausforderungen steht, dass es aber auch Beispiele fÜr erfolgreiche Initiativen gibt, die fÜr die Zukunft Gutes hoffen lassen.

Resumen

LA CAPACIDAD DE LECTOESCRITURA EN LOS ADULTOS DE ÁFRICA: LOS FACTORES DE EMPUJE Y DE RETRACCIÓN – Este trabajo analiza el interrogante de por qué África ha avanzado tan poco hacia la meta de erradicar el analfabetismo y por qué sigue siendo, en este sentido, una regiÓn excepcionalmente desaventajada. El artículo pasa revista a la historia del desarrollo de la alfabetizaciÓn en África, desde la época colonial hasta el presente, concentrÁndose en el papel que ha jugado la educaciÓn de las personas adultas en el objetivo de la alfabetizaciÓn universal. El autor trata de identificar tanto los factores de “empuje” (push factors), o sea los que favorecen la consecuciÓn de este objetivo, como los factores de “retracciÓn” (pull factors), o sea los obstÁculos e impedimentos, y examina estos factores a niveles locales, nacionales e internacionales. En conclusiÓn, el autor sostiene que el desafío de la alfabetizaciÓn en África es enorme, pero que también hay ejemplos de iniciativas exitosas que son alentadores en cuanto al futuro.
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Notes

Acknowledgements

I wish to thank Dr. Gbolagade Adekanmbi of Botswana and Dr. Mercy Ette of the UK for their important contributions to the finalization of this paper.

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2008

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Nigerian Permanent Delegation to UNESCOParisFrance

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