What is the definition of literacy rate?
The definition of being literate in South Africa is that
youths at the age of fifteen and more are able to read and write.
What is the literacy rate in south africa?
According to the CIA World Factbook, the literacy rate of the total population is 93%, out of which 93.9% of males are literate and 92.2% of females are literate. This was from the 2012 General Household Survey. However, in the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (Pirls) 2011 survey, 43% of Grade 5 learners have not mastered basic reading skills.
The discrepancy in results is probably due to the fact that the General Household Survey assumes that anyone who has an education level of Grade 7 for higher is literate. Also, the fact that people were asked whether they could read or write reveals little about how well they could really read or write.
The literacy rate in South Africa could possibly be much lower than what the General Household Survey has reported. Although the General Household Survey is a primary source, the method of surveying the people and obtaining the results is not representative of the actual literate population in South Africa.
The discrepancy in results is probably due to the fact that the General Household Survey assumes that anyone who has an education level of Grade 7 for higher is literate. Also, the fact that people were asked whether they could read or write reveals little about how well they could really read or write.
The literacy rate in South Africa could possibly be much lower than what the General Household Survey has reported. Although the General Household Survey is a primary source, the method of surveying the people and obtaining the results is not representative of the actual literate population in South Africa.