Talk:World Literacy and Nonformal Education

From LiteracyTentWiki

I am surprised at the fact that one of the most important chapters in the book of literacy and third world development is not discussed. In the 90s, at grad school, we learned all about third world development and the many models thereof. Those that fascinated me most were the indigenous models - that is - where development came as a result of the efforts of local people. The most famous of these took place in the state of Kerala, in southern India. You can read about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Kerala

Warning - you must DIG before they will give you the reasons behind this amazing story of what brought the people of this state to literacy, mortality, and morbidity rates that rival those of Europe. In 1968, the people of Kerala elected a communist government. The government made literacy the priority. Instead of "barefoot doctors" they had "barefoot teachers". Once the literacy rates started going up, the people themselves demnanded that everyone have access to healthcare. Soon everyone was within walking distance of a clinic. Women had fewer children, those children were healthier, people lived longer, healthier lives, and so on. Thanks to a government that made literacy the priority. Why don't we hear about it? Is it because it was a communist government?