• Literacy

  Literacy empowers

  is listening, speaking, reading, writing, numeracy and critical thinking interwoven with the knowledge of social and cultural practices.

• Literacy empowers people to contribute to and improve society.

• Literacy is an important and basic human right.

BUT

In Aotearoa/ New Zealand approximately one quarter of our people have poor literacy skills (United Nations Survey, 1996).

Our Government notes that:

"By raising levels of adult literacy we will be enhancing the nation's skills, developing a more responsive economy and a more inclusive society, with increased employment opportunities for all. We will also be strengthening our communities, particularly Mäori and Pacific communities."

(Adult Literacy Strategy, Ministry of Education May 2001)