Review article
Rural Literacy in Slovenia
Livija Knaflić
; Slovenian Institute for Adult Education
Ana Ileršić
; Slovenian Institute for Adult Education
Abstract
Surprisingly fast development of informational-communicational technology has resulted
in an increasing number of literacy researches. Literacy is regarded as a complex skill
which contains the skills to write, read and calculate and the skill to use a computer. In
short literacy is a skill that enables a person to search for, select and use information from
various sources and for various purposes. Through participation in the International Adult
Literacy Survey we identified different target groups whose achievements were below international
average and one of those groups were adults living in rural areas. We researched
the characteristics of this target group in greater detail with intention of identifying
areas in which they recognise the lack in their literacy skills and the need for literacy
education. We also wanted to identify motives for enrolling in literacy programmes and
education for sustainable development. Research in adult literacy showed that the lack in
literacy skills affects all areas of rural populations’ everyday living and that they are aware
of the source of their problems – inadequate literacy skills. One of the key information we
gathered from our research was that the majority of rural population is motivated for resolving
their literacy related problems. The way to better literacy leads through education.
The key is to find an appealing content which will at the same time help develop literacy
skills. Based on the research results and the rural employment rate we, at the Slovenian
Institute for Adult Education, decided to integrate literacy skills in a programme that
among other things opens possibilities for self-employment. We named the educational
programme Challenges of the countryside.
Keywords
adult literacy; literacy of rural population; rural literacy
Hrčak ID:
94060
URI
Publication date:
17.2.2007.
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