Nowadays, many people cannot read or write. What problems does this cause? What measures can governments take to solve these problems?

It is true that even today, illiteracy is widespread. While

this

presents serious difficulties for individuals and

society

, there are steps that governments should take to deal with the problem. When people can neither read nor write, they are disadvantaged in important ways. In terms of the individual consequences of illiteracy, dealing with

bureaucracy

Suggestion

the bureaucracy

is a nightmare. Reading and writing – or even adding a signature to – an official document is often necessary,

for

example when

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example, when

people have to apply for social welfare benefits. From the perspective of

society

in general, it is difficult to integrate economic migrants into

society

who are perhaps illiterate in their home countries, or are unable to read and write in the language of the host country.

This

makes the task of constructing a multicultural

society

difficult if minority groups are forced

to do sweated

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to sweat

labour, simply because they are illiterate and excluded from better-paid jobs. There are,

however

, policies which national and local authorities can adopt to improve matters.

Firstly

, resources should be allocated to provide basic literacy classes in local colleges or social and community centres to help people to learn to read and write.

Secondly

, government departments must employ staff who have specific responsibility for helping illiterate people to cope with the confusing mass of official paperwork. In

this

way, they will not be discriminated against,

for instance

by losing welfare rights to which they are entitled.

Finally

,

governments even

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governments, even

in developing countries must ensure that everyone has the right to a basic education which enables them to read and write. In conclusion,

although

illiteracy is a serious problem, there are steps which governments should take to help those who can neither read nor write.