Illiteracy is increasing in China, despite a 50-year-old campaign to
stamp it out and a declaration by the government in 2000 that it had
been nearly eradicated. The reasons are complex, from the cost of a
rural education to the growing appeal of migrant work that draws
Chinese away from classrooms and toward far-off cities.
In many cases, as in this farming hamlet in China's southern Guizhou
province, villagers whose education ended in elementary school have
simply forgotten basic skills.
From 2000 to 2005, the number of illiterate Chinese adults jumped by
33 percent, from 87 million to 116 million, the state-run China Daily
reported this month. The newspaper noted that even before the
increase, China's illiterate population had accounted for 11.3
percent of the world's total.
...
Literacy in China is defined according to an exam taken in fourth
grade. Even if villagers pass that exam, they frequently do not
pursue further education. Having no reason to read and write, many
forget the skills. This is especially true of ethnic minorities,
rural women and young dropouts, according to researchers.
...
Farmers are expected to learn at least 1,500 characters, according to
state education regulations. Urban residents should master 2,000.
Teachers in Beijing often tell students they need to know 3,000
characters to read a newspaper. College graduates are tested on 7,000
characters or more.
lliteracy Jumps in China, Despite 50-Year Campaign to Eradicate It
Washington Post, April 27, 2007
http://tinyurl.com/2dft4d
