I was very surprised to learn the following stats from the National Year of Reading 2012 website:
Nearly half the population struggles without the literacy skills to meet the most basic demands of everyday life and work. There are 46% of Australians who can't read newspapers; follow a recipe; make sense of timetables, or understand the instructions on a medicine bottle.
Reference: http://www.love2read.org.au/about-us.cfm
Then again this morning, when listening to the radio, I was once again made aware of our nationwide issue with literacy and learning skills. Almost half of the Australia's community struggle to read normal everyday information. It must be so hard for a person not to enjoy simple pleasures in life, such as reading a book or magazine.
We, as a thriving community, must take responsibility to assist people with their literacy and learning issues. Instead of investing in other projects, the Government needs to address these vital issues and positively promote and encourage reading and literacy programs for all Australians. Educational institutions, and especially libraries should be actively involved to help promote and implement literacy and learning programs for everyone. Lets focus more on reading.... the important things in life.
