- A substantial number of individuals in Lower Saxony struggle with literacy issues.
Through a Landtag initiative, the Science Ministry has highlighted the issue of individuals battling with writing and reading complications. The catalyst for this was the forthcoming International Literacy Day on September 8, as the ministry announced.
In Lower Saxony alone, around 620,000 adults aged 18 to 64 – or roughly one in every 13 residents – struggle with this issue. They're often labeled as 'functional illiterates', implying they have limited reading and writing abilities. Across Germany, this number swells to around 6.2 million adults, which equates to one in seven people, according to a 2018 LEO study examining adult literacy skills.
Literacy, defined as the capacity to read and write, is perceived as a vital prerequisite for integrating into society by the ministry. Speaking on behalf of affected individuals during a Landtag meeting with Lower Saxony's Landtag President Hanna Naber and Science Minister Falko Mohrs (both SPD), Uwe Boldt, a member of the Learner Council in Lower Saxony, shared his daily experiences of being illiterate.
Boldt aims to spark awareness among Landtag members and educate them on the matter, asserting that illiterates primarily grapple with their own shame and juggling daily life. He advocates for increased funding and support programs as solutions.
According to Mohrs, the ministry intends to allocate 7 million euros from the EU's Social Fund for support programs. This allocation will be bolstered by a further 7.6 million euros in state funds.
The Science Ministry emphasizes the importance of education in overcoming literacy issues, viewing literacy as a crucial prerequisite for societal integration. Uwe Boldt, representing affected individuals, stresses the need for increased funding and support programs in education to help illiterates overcome their challenges.
