*** World Literacy Day was observed yesterday in Bangladesh and around the globe. As a nation in desperate need of a solution to mass illiteracy, one hopes that the efforts of various groups to mark the occasion will prove fruitful. The Daily Star offers some facts and figures to contemplate. focusing on women and literacy as the Fourth World Conference on Women proceeds in Beijing. ***

*** The Draft Platform for Action proposes to:

I Eradicate illiteracy among women worldwide.

► Ensure the completion of primary education by at !<■ tsi 80'.. <>f children, with special emphasis on girls, by the year 2000.

I ( reate an educational system that ensures equal education and training opportunities.

> Develop < urrlcula. textbooks and teaching aids free ironi sex-stereotypes lor all levels of education. ***

Education is a basic human right which Is essential for achieving the goals of equality, development, and peace Educated women tend to raise healthier families, have fewer children, and be more productive in both the home and the work place. Children of educated mothers are more likely to become educated too.

Global literacy

According to UNESCO, literacy has risen in all regions of the world, but 885 million women and men. almost a quarter of the world's adult population, are still estimated to be illiterate. Sixty-four per cent of the illiterate are women.

Literacy gaps

Women in rural areas often have high illiteracy rates, in some countries two to three times that of women in urban areas. In Honduras. in 1988. of women aged 15-24. 9% in urban

areas and 30% in rural areas were illiterate.

Generations of educational neglect have left high Hitter acy rates, especially for older women in developing coun-iries. Illiteracy rates among women 25 and above are typically two or more times those of women aged 15 and 24

Among women over 45 years of age. Illiteracy rates in developing countries were usually at least 50% in the late 1980s. and often exceeded 70% In Africa and Asia.

Primary school

Girls' primary-school enrollment has reached parity with boys' except in Africa and Asia. In 1990. the average ratios of girls to each 100 boys tn primary school was: Africa (79): Asia and the Pacific (84); Latin America and the Caribbean (95); Western Europe and other (95); Eastern Europe (96).

College and university

Women are Increasingly entering colleges and universities. In 1990. the average ratios of women to each 100 men in tertiary education was : in Africa (32): Asia and the Pacific (84): Western Europe and other (94): Eastern Europe (104): and Latin America and the Caribbean (106).

Increases have been dramatic in some countries : China's number of female postgraduates increased by 157% from 1985-1992.

An increasing number of girls are entering fields once dominated by men. The average ratio of females to each 100 males in science and technology were, in 1990 : Latin America and the Caribbean (80); Eastern Europe (74); Asia and the Pacific (70); Western Europe and other (67); and Africa (24).

Non-formal education

As many children fall through the education net. non-formal education programmes become essential, especially for girls. The Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC) has created 4/500 experimental schools since its start in 1985. Out of the 100.000 children served by BRAC. 70% are girls from rural landless families.

Economic crisis hits education

The progressive trends In

education adopted by many countries were reversed in the 1980s. particularly among those experiencing problems of war. economic adjustment and declining International assistance in Africa. Latin America and the Caribbean, Eastern Europe and a few other cases.

An increase in per capita gross domestic product tends to improve female sch-

oollng and literacy. However, remarkable success can be found even in areas with low GDPs, suggesting policy can be more influential than the economy. In 1991. the per capita GDP in the Indian state of Kerala was below the country's average per capita GDP (Kerala: US $ 200, India: US $ 250), but the percentage of literate women in 1991 was 87% in Kerala

compared to 34% for India countrywide.

Population growth

In many countries with rapid population growth, the planning of new educational facilities has not met the actual need. In Nigeria, the number of primary schools increased by 85% between 1975-76 and 1982-83. while the number of students Increased by 140%.