Illiteracy Rate in the Philippines

INTRODUCTION The trend today that people have to cope with is global competition. In a competitive world, people are expected to keep abreast with the latest advancements. It is now survival of the fittest, in which the fittest are mostly he literates, especially those who have attained a high degree of education. Literates tend to have far greater chances of achieving much compared to illiterates. An illiterate man lacks opportunity to apply for higher paid jobs because he can never compete with applicants who are literate. Most of the time, illiterates are unemployed, they may resort to scavenging/mendicancy or may even rob, kidnap for ransom, or holdup just to meet their basic needs. Illiteracy rates are highest among developing countries. In contrast, the illiteracy rate in developed countries is only a few percent. However, it is important to note that literacy rates vary widely from country to country and after directly proportionate to a country’s wealth or urbanization level, although many other factors play a determining role. Illiteracy rates is an important factor in a country’s or a region’s “human capital”.

DISCUSSION
Gap with the Literates In a society where social status is a determining factor in the socialization of people, the poor people who are actually illiterate develop an inferiority complex in mingling with wealthy people. Low achievement, low educational background, limited knowledge, and limited first-hand experience with technologies hamper the social development of the illiterates especially if they are too conscious of dealing with people who are richer, more knowledgeable, more experienced, more traveled and have greater achievements than they have. Literates may also build a gap from them from fear of becoming the instrument of the illiterates resorting to crime because of being “kapit sa patalim”. Because of the big difference they have in terms of possessions and social influence, literates may feel superior