By the Working Life Team
Monday, 29 February 2016
If you are reading this — count yourself lucky. Thousands struggle with literacy skills, including members of our indigenous community.
Now, one Cuban-inspired literacy campaign is achieving major results in tackling the problem — up to 100 per cent success on some regions.
In recognition of that campaign, and the man behind it, Cuba has just presented Indigenous campaigner, Professor Jack Beetson, Executive Director of the Literacy for Life Foundation, with an inaugural award for ground-breaking work teaching Aboriginal adults to read and write.
”“Professor Beetson is utilising teaching methods developed in Cuba and adapting them for use in Australia,” said Cuban Ambassador, Mr Jose Manuel Galego Montano.
“This kind of cooperation is bringing our countries closer together and changing people’s lives for the better.”
Professor Beetson said he was delighted with the award, and hopes it will help highlight the importance of improving Indigenous adult literacy rates.
“A prerequisite to closing the social and economic gap for Aboriginal people is closing the adult literacy gap first,” Professor Beetson told Working Life.
“You can talk about all the strategies, programs and policies you want but it won’t make an ounce of difference unless you lift the national literacy levels of Indigenous adults.”
Cuban program
Empirical evidence shows adults who can read and write make better life choices, he said.
Professor Beetson is Executive Director of the Literacy for Life Foundation, a not-for-profit partnership that includes Brookfield Multiplex and the Lowitja Institute and is supported by Australian Unions.
The Foundation has run innovative adult literacy campaigns in four communities in western New South Wales and graduated over 100 students, achieving completion rates more than five times higher than the national average.
“This award means a lot because Cuba is a country that has successfully tackled adult illiteracy,” Professor Beetson said.
“Cuba has helped more than six million people in 29 countries become literate. We know the method works, we just need the money and the backing so we can replicate the success in Australia.”
Monday, 29 February 2016
If you are reading this — count yourself lucky. Thousands struggle with literacy skills, including members of our indigenous community.
Now, one Cuban-inspired literacy campaign is achieving major results in tackling the problem — up to 100 per cent success on some regions.
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| Professor Jack Beetson |
”“Professor Beetson is utilising teaching methods developed in Cuba and adapting them for use in Australia,” said Cuban Ambassador, Mr Jose Manuel Galego Montano.
“This kind of cooperation is bringing our countries closer together and changing people’s lives for the better.”
Professor Beetson said he was delighted with the award, and hopes it will help highlight the importance of improving Indigenous adult literacy rates.
“A prerequisite to closing the social and economic gap for Aboriginal people is closing the adult literacy gap first,” Professor Beetson told Working Life.
“You can talk about all the strategies, programs and policies you want but it won’t make an ounce of difference unless you lift the national literacy levels of Indigenous adults.”
Cuban program
Empirical evidence shows adults who can read and write make better life choices, he said.
Professor Beetson is Executive Director of the Literacy for Life Foundation, a not-for-profit partnership that includes Brookfield Multiplex and the Lowitja Institute and is supported by Australian Unions.
The Foundation has run innovative adult literacy campaigns in four communities in western New South Wales and graduated over 100 students, achieving completion rates more than five times higher than the national average.
“This award means a lot because Cuba is a country that has successfully tackled adult illiteracy,” Professor Beetson said.
“Cuba has helped more than six million people in 29 countries become literate. We know the method works, we just need the money and the backing so we can replicate the success in Australia.”
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