Illiteracy is one of the signs of social underdevelopment. The issue of its spread in any society is a chronic and complex problem that has clear repercussions on various aspects of social life. It poses a genuine threat to the process of building, developing, and civilizing society because it acts as an obstacle that hinders the improvement of living conditions for individuals and the development of both personal and community capacities. This is why nations strive to find solutions to eliminate illiteracy, primarily through education. Education is seen as an essential tool and an effective pillar in combating the phenomenon of widespread illiteracy in society.
Illiteracy, in a general sense, refers to the inability to read, write, and perform basic arithmetic. It is a negative social phenomenon that is prevalent in many societies, particularly in developing countries. It represents the inability of an individual to perform many skills related to reading, writing, and arithmetic, which would otherwise enable them to engage in various areas of life that depend on these skills. This is especially relevant today, as our modern era is characterized by significant technological and scientific advancements. Individuals without reading and writing skills are unable to keep up with these advancements or navigate the technologies of this era, marked by the rise of information technology, artificial intelligence, and the digital revolution.
Illiteracy as a Circle of Social Epidemics
Illiteracy here does not only refer to the lack of knowledge in reading and writing, but it also encompasses other types of ignorance in life’s sciences and fields, such as educational, cultural, religious, political, and electronic illiteracies. In order to achieve a fundamental social transformation, education must be expanded in its scope and activities throughout society. This expansion should be broad, comprehensive, and mandatory, taking into account all age groups without exception. The role of education should be extended across all institutions and activities of the state, dedicating them to the task of making education accessible to every member of society. Education is one of the key exits from the cycle of social epidemics like illiteracy, poverty, ignorance, and others.
It is also necessary to differentiate between ignorance of something and illiteracy. Therefore, we should not label an illiterate person as ignorant. An illiterate individual may know many aspects of life but lacks the ability to read and write. Education is one of the most valuable resources for any society, enabling it to harness the abilities, energies, and skills of its human resources. By encouraging and involving all segments of society in literacy projects, the community can be developed and improved, leading to higher standards of living, welfare, health, and economic prosperity, as well as an increase in income.
The Problem of Illiteracy and Its Spread in Society
The problem of illiteracy and its spread in society is caused by several factors, primarily educational, followed by social, economic, and political reasons.
Unstable political conditions in a country can be one of the main obstacles to education. Economic circumstances faced by families, such as their inability to afford the costs of educating their children, may prevent them from sending their children to school. In such cases, families may be forced to have their children work to help cover household expenses. In other instances, the death of parents may force children to assume family responsibilities. Additionally, some families may be unaware of the importance of educating their children, particularly girls, which may deprive them of education. Therefore, it is essential that both girls and boys enjoy equal rights and opportunities in education and that they are made aware of the importance of attending school and continuing their education.
Another contributing factor to the issue of illiteracy is the neglect by state institutions in failing to conduct awareness and guidance campaigns about the importance of education. Moreover, state media outlets may not fulfill their role in educating illiterate individuals about the necessity of enrolling all age groups in literacy programs. Continuous efforts are needed to promote education through innovative programs that help members of society overcome the problem of illiteracy. Such efforts would provide everyone with the basic skills of reading and writing, which are the foundation of education and learning the art of life. This would improve their lives and train them in areas like health and sustainable economic development.
Illiteracy is a serious phenomenon threatening Iraqi society
All studies conducted by statistics agencies indicate that the illiteracy rate in Iraq is extremely high for a society living in the 21st century. Illiteracy has become a dangerous phenomenon that threatens the fabric of Iraqi society and presents a major obstacle to the country’s recovery and reconstruction. This is largely due to the continuous and prolonged wars that have drained the capabilities of Iraqi society, along with the deteriorating security situation and the displacement of millions of Iraqis since the occupation of Iraq by the international coalition led by the United States in 2003 onwards. This has led to a significant rise in illiteracy among the Iraqi population. Despite Iraq’s wealth in natural resources, which could position it among the world’s advanced nations, and despite the country’s extensive network of schools, institutes, and universities spread across all cities, illiteracy remains a major issue.
Iraq has seen advancements in social sciences, which play an important role in combating illiteracy, but due to security issues, such as the invasion and occupation by the Americans and the international coalition, followed by the entry of terrorists, including ISIS, and their occupation of several Iraqi provinces, these developments have been hindered. These circumstances have negatively impacted the country’s political, economic, and social activities. As a result, these abnormal conditions have persisted in Iraq for an extended period, affecting broad segments of society. This has led to educational setbacks for large groups, preventing them from keeping up with modern knowledge and preventing many from attending schools to continue their education. This has resulted in the spread of social illiteracy in low-income and impoverished communities. Unfortunately, these groups, which represent a significant and growing portion of the population, have not received adequate attention to address their deteriorating social reality. Consequently, they have not been able to benefit from social sciences in the proper manner.
Despite the tireless efforts of educational institutions to reduce the spread of illiteracy within these communities, it is essential to prevent its impact from extending to future generations. If left unaddressed, social illiteracy may become a chronic problem that is difficult to remedy.
The spread of illiteracy in society widens the gap between the community and modernity
Poverty, deprivation, and financial hardship are among the most important reasons that drive families to prevent their children from continuing their education. The widespread phenomenon of child labor in Iraq must be stopped, as it has a significant impact on students dropping out of school or not enrolling in the first place. A cooperative effort is needed between parents and relevant authorities, especially the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of the Interior, and the Ministry of Planning. It is essential that the Ministry of Education activates the decision to allocate study allowances for students at all educational levels to ease the economic burden on Iraqi families.
Illiteracy and its spread in society widen the gap between the community and progress. Communities plagued by illiteracy, ignorance, unemployment, poverty, deprivation, and disease are unable to keep pace with the advancements of modernity and progress, especially in the field of education. Meanwhile, other segments of society are progressing confidently toward development and prosperity. The inability of parents to acquire social skills has contributed both directly and indirectly to the failure to raise a generation that possesses a sense of responsibility and commitment to societal values and principles. This is due to the absence of proper guidance needed to build a strong psychological foundation in their children. As a result, we see the spread of bad habits and irresponsible behaviors that are alien to the values, principles, and ethics of Iraqi society. Although these behaviors have become customary, they are actually foreign to the societal environment.
There is no need to provide specific examples, as we are all living through these details. This improper upbringing has played a negative role in directly shaping social illiteracy and has resulted in the raising of generations with poor morals, irresponsible behavior, and the learning of incorrect habits that stem from an illiterate home environment.
This is where the true role of the family begins in addressing the negative phenomena that manifest in their children’s behavior. Families must constantly follow up with their children to prevent the development of unwanted behaviors, without resorting to violence, excessive reprimanding, or overbearing monitoring, as these methods will only lead to alienation and rebellion. What is needed instead is a general culture that guides children safely through the critical period of adolescence.
Eradicating illiteracy is one of the most important activities for the advancement of society
Focusing on human resources through education and the horizons of knowledge is crucial in driving progress and societal advancement. The human being is the true wealth and the fundamental factor for the state in this equation. A person’s humanity is fully realized only when they are educated and equipped with basic knowledge skills. The development and modernization of society, along with the progress of the state in economic, social, and political aspects, do not depend solely on academic knowledge and education. The focus must also be placed on eradicating illiteracy, teaching individuals, and training them so that not a single person in society remains uneducated. Education and learning are the arts of life, allowing society to elevate itself and achieve the desired goals. The only way to eliminate illiteracy is through mandatory education and the right to education for all illiterate members of society. Literacy programs are essential for the development of society and the country, as they contribute to raising social awareness and fostering constructive critical thinking. They push both individuals and society toward intellectual and cultural freedom, which liberates people from ignorance and opens up new horizons for their creative energies and skills in all areas of life.
Literacy is a fundamental indicator of the success of development plans and projects in any country. Illiteracy is the primary cause of most conflicts that arise between individuals and groups, often stemming from misunderstandings, which deepen societal divisions and lead to a fragmented, weak society.
The negative effects and dangers of illiteracy on individuals and society
Illiteracy has serious negative effects on both individuals and society. These effects arise from a lack of awareness, which leaves individuals unable to understand and direct their human needs, participate in society, or develop a sense of national identity and patriotism. It also hinders their understanding of the full value of citizenship and the responsibilities that come with it. This lack of awareness affects not only political consciousness and participation but also national belonging, involvement in work, and productivity. This understanding deepens the individual’s awareness of the importance of continuing education, equipping them with the weapon of knowledge so that they do not fall victim to illiteracy. Without education, individuals become susceptible to harmful activities that jeopardize national security and cost the state significant effort and money to counteract.
We must not overlook the role of media and journalism in raising awareness among individuals about the spiritual, physical, and intellectual value of education. It is important to emphasize the role of media campaigns, whether written, audio, or visual, led by the media and public relations departments in executive bodies. These campaigns have a significant role in raising awareness about the dangers of illiteracy and the importance of eradicating it, highlighting the material and moral benefits of education across all areas of life.
The importance of literacy programs and adult education is a type of education that is a necessity in the modern era, characterized by continuous change and development. It is incumbent upon states, organizations, civil society institutions, and individuals to keep pace with these developments to contribute to sustainable development and create a society free from illiteracy.
Mandatory education for all
The phenomenon of illiteracy and its unique characteristics within society require state officials to continuously strive to develop national policies aimed at eradicating illiteracy and educating adults. These efforts must also ensure access to meaningful education for all. The state should create the best ways to make education accessible to all members of society by implementing compulsory education for all age groups and guaranteeing the right to education without discrimination between males and females. It is essential to support equality, provide equal opportunities, and combat school dropouts.
Achieving this goal requires expanding and modernizing school infrastructure, allowing students to receive sufficient educational opportunities. The Ministry of Education must focus on building contemporary schools that align with population density and ensure fair distribution across both urban and rural areas. It should also work on developing educational programs for older illiterate individuals and encouraging them to enroll. Raising awareness about the importance of education, particularly in rural, underprivileged, and densely populated areas, is crucial. Additionally, there should be a concerted effort between government institutions, civil society, and the community to enforce compulsory education. The Ministry of Education must implement strict policies and legislative measures to apply the law of compulsory education and extend it to the intermediate level to eliminate the problem of illiteracy.
At the same time, it is essential to continue developing scientific research and conducting in-depth studies on the phenomenon of illiteracy, identifying its causes, and finding solutions. Learning from countries that have successfully overcome illiteracy and using technological advancements to tackle this issue are key to creating a modern society that benefits from knowledge and science. This will allow people to improve their quality of life and live with dignity and pride in a society that prospers socially, economically, and politically.
References
[1] https://shafaq.com/en/Report/From-educational-pinnacle-to-illiteracy-crisis-Iraq-s-road-to-recovery[2] https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menasource/an-illiterate-generation-one-of-iraqs-untold-pandemic-stories/
[3] https://reliefweb.int/report/iraq/illiteracy-real-challenge-peace-iraq
[4] https://www.rferl.org/a/Once_Seen_As_A_Model_Iraq_Struggles_To_Rebuild_Its_Education_System/1817721.html
[5] https://www.uil.unesco.org/en/litbase/literacy-women-iraq
[6] https://jummar.media/en/3615
[7] https://voicesforiraq.org/about/education/
[8] https://www.uil.unesco.org/sites/default/files/medias/fichiers/2023/10/non%20formal%20edu%20in%20iraq.pdf?hub=90
