Re: [Futurework] TD pegs value of literacy

[Steph]

To All, As a new subscriber, I am awed at the intelligent conversations and have, so far, been very hesitant to comment on the subject matter.  However, this topic holds a special place for me.  I am by no means an expert but third world economics is a passion.  I have read recent conversations by this group on the subject and frankly, think the solution is too easy.  It's all about education.  This most recent data on education and literacy only proves my point.  Regardless of how the data was obtained, I think we can all agree that improved literacy rates can most certainly improve economies.  As I read articles or books on the economies of third world nations, I often wonder why more emphasis is not placed on literacy rates. Since third world nations cannot seem to get onto the first rung on the ladder of success, as some describe it, then climbing the ladder is out of the question.  But, I have a slightly different twist on recent theories.  Instead of concentrating on the millions of problems plaguing these nations, such as environment, infrastructure, or government, wouldn't it be better to focus on the root cause of the problem?  Because of the lack of literacy in these countries, they are unable to accomplish even the first rung on the the ladder.  How can they understand the importance of land conservancy or how important it is to build a solid infrastructure without education?  Not to mention the fact that they absolutely miss the technological band wagon!  With all of the hype from the G8 and NGOs concerning this subject, I hear very little about focusing on improving literacy.  To me, literacy is the key.  When the work force can improve themselves, feel better about themselves, and contribute more efficiently to the economy, then these countries will reap the benefits.  Sounds simplistic since a majority of these countries lack the basic infrastructure to provide education in a meaningful and broad way.  But, to this argument, I say that you have to start somewhere.  Pouring money into these countries has not worked.  No one can agree to do the things that would make the world market more accessible or "fair".  If there was more of a concentration on education, I believe these countries could help themselves.  Let's start with the basics. Education means a feeling of success.  It means that a greater number of the workforce could meaningfully contribute.  It means making informed decisions as to how the population views or how it may select it's government.  It also means that people's minds might broaden to include new ideas.  Possibly, in my own dreamy world, it could mean a better understanding  and more acceptance of other's cultures.  The benefits for women I could expound upon forever.  Improved literacy rates for women would mean fewer children.  A huge untapped resource would enter the workforce.   Maybe, the sometimes backwards ideas of the role of women could be improved upon. Illiteracy is such a big problem in the world.  How could it not impact economies, especially third world economies, when literacy is the focus? Stephanie -----Original Message----- From: Darryl or Natalia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sep 6, 2007 8:21 PM To: pete <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Futurework] TD pegs value of literacy Pete, The report did focus on Canadians. You raise excellent points and questions below. I pretty much question anything a bank puts out as fact. I don't disagree with the report's conclusions, for the most part, but how facts are gleaned is rarely revealed in a newspaper article. Good P.R. TD thinking outside the box. Ironic findings, given that the bulk of their loans are secured almost solely by material assets, yet I suppose that politicians will be able to run with these figures to create literacy programs, and save the banks billions on training and blunder costs. If people were better skilled, however, they wouldn't be applying for the majority of positions with the bank. TD's concern is with productivity, and the cost of training their staff, both new and existing. Their concern is, however, particularly focused on "deterioration in Canada's trend rate of productivity growth," because the country's growth means better profits for TD. A point to better literacy -- better educated people would not likely keep their money in banks much longer. Literacy and numeracy rates would not necessarily sky rocket should employers pay a better wage, but at least the disadvantaged could possibly enroll in a course or two because they could hire a babysitter, or use their spare time for something other than another part time job. They might even be simply happier because they get to do something they enjoy with spare time/money, and thereby develop a better disposition. Do employers ever stop to think that a lot of work is far too mundane to inspire productivity? Our imaginations are becoming rather stimulated, thanks to technology, and boring jobs can't keep even loyal staff interested. Perhaps one day corporations will appreciate that the current educational system is discouraging learning because of the focus on linear knowledge, and the products produced (by the linear learning) are in themselves the very vehicles to poor brain function. Skeptically, I'd say that those at the top want this situation to continue, but what we're experiencing is burn out. That will lead to systemic unrest, and both education and the workplace will have to bend to reach the light. Natalia   pete wrote: On Thu, 06 Sep 2007, Natalia <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: CanWest News reported today that the TD Bank recently arrived at a dollar value to assign to literacy/numeracy skills based on a study of a number of Canadian and international studies. The report found that about 40% of youth lack literacy skills and and roughly half of adults lack both literacy and numeracy. "An increase in literacy of one percent would mean a $32 billion increase in national income -- three times the returns on investment in machinery," Craig Alexander, TD Bank deputy chief economist and author of the report said. More dependence on service-based, rather than industrial sectors, he explained. He stressed that improving literacy improves civic engagement: "People are more likely to vote if they can read the ballot." A 2003 report placed Canada 3rd in reading skills out of 41 nations, 7th in math and 11th in science. There were disparities between provinces, girls and boys, immigrants and Canadian born, and urban and rural divides. Natalia How general is this result, I wonder - did they say it only applies to Canada? The extrapolation is $1B per million population per percent. I might add that there is a limit to the available increase, particularly for numeracy, which is quite a lot below 100% - remember 50% of the population is of below median intelligence; I would guess that numeracy can only be achieved by about 85% of the population. -PV _______________________________________________ Futurework mailing list Futurework@fes.uwaterloo.ca http://fes.uwaterloo.ca/mailman/listinfo/futurework --- avast! Antivirus: Inbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 000773-1, 09/06/2007 Tested on: 9/6/2007 3:22:37 PM avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software. http://www.avast.com avast! Antivirus: Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 000773-1, 09/06/2007 Tested on: 9/6/2007 5:21:38 PM avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2007 ALWIL Software.

_______________________________________________
Futurework mailing list
Futurework@fes.uwaterloo.ca
http://fes.uwaterloo.ca/mailman/listinfo/futurework