đź“° Adult Literacy News Summary
Digital Learning And The Fight Against Illiteracy In Pakistan
16-Aug-2025 - Pakistan
The education landscape in Pakistan paints a grim picture, even when compared to other countries within South Asia. While SAARC countries such as the Maldives and Sri Lanka boast literacy rates above 90%, even India and Bangladesh have literacy rates higher than 80%. Pakistan has a national literacy rate of 59%, which is behind Nepal’s 69% and only above Afghanistan’s 37%. When compared to the global average, Pakistan is in the bottom 20 countries of the world in terms of adult literacy.
Read morePHX Training secures contract extension to support Cumbrians
15-Aug-2025 - UK
A vocational training provider has secured a contract extension to continue supporting Cumbrian adults into next year. PHX Training has announced the extension of its Multiply programme, which helps adults in Cumbria improve their numeracy and literacy through the Multiply for Maths and Engage for English schemes. The new contract, funded by devolved local authority spending, will run until March 2026 and aims to support up to 100 adults aged 18 and over who do not already hold a Level 2 qualification in maths or English.
Read moreAI is making reading books feel obsolete – and students have a lot to lose
13-Aug-2025 - USA
A perfect storm is brewing for reading. AI’s writing skills have gotten plenty of attention. But researchers and teachers are only now starting to talk about AI’s ability to “read” massive datasets before churning out summaries, analyses or comparisons of books, essays and articles.
Read moreLighthouse Poole launches adult writers group
12-Aug-2025 - UK
Lighthouse Poole has launched an adult writing group after the success of their young writer workshops. The programme will be delivered by Artfulscribe, a writer development agency and led by writers for writers. This new group will have weekly meetings from September 11 until November 27. Organisers have described the event as perfect platform for people to meet, share, and create with a community of like-minded individuals.
Read moreMake a difference to a child’s life-chances: Volunteer with Schoolreaders in Sunderland
12-Aug-2025 - UK
As the UK's largest in-school literacy charity, Schoolreaders is seeking passionate volunteers to inspire a love of reading among primary school children across Sunderland. Schoolreaders is a national charity dedicated to enhancing children’s literacy by providing volunteers who support 1:1 reading sessions in primary schools
Read moreDoes it matter that Britons are reading less than ever before?
10-Aug-2025 - UK
Many of us struggle to read for pleasure, with repercussions for our brain health and civilisation – but there may be an answer. The last time 33-year-old Barney Iley lost himself in a book was in 2017, when he read Middlemarch by George Eliot. “It blew my brains out,” he says, recalling the “gratifying” time spent reading what Martin Amis once called the greatest-ever British novel. But that was eight years ago. “I don’t do that now – read books,” he adds. “Now I put reading on a pedestal. Reading a book would be a magnificent achievement. It used to be that the equivalent of reading a book would be a stroll; now it’s a marathon. That’s tragic.”
Read moreKalamazoo Literacy Council hosts annual Scrabble Fest to fund adult literacy programs
07-Aug-2025 - USA
The Kalamazoo Literacy Council (KLC) is gearing up for its biggest fundraising event of the year, Scrabble Fest. "This is our major fundraiser for the Kalamazoo Literacy Council to raise awareness and funds to support the cause of adult literacy." The KLC provides free services to adults seeking to improve their reading and language skills. The organization targets the 13% of Kalamazoo County's adult population that reads below a fourth-grade level.
Read moreNew outdoor library unveiled at Gillingham Lakes development
06-Aug-2025 - UK
The library, situated at the Gillingham Lakes development in Gillingham, Dorset, was unveiled on Saturday, August 3. The opening coincided with a summer picnic event attended by residents. The facility, developed by Taylor Wimpey Southern Counties, aims to promote a love for reading within the community. It offers a range of adult and children's books on a 'bring and borrow' basis.
Read moreMS brings experts together in a bid to combat illiteracy in Wales
05-Aug-2025 - UK
Natasha Asghar, who serves as shadow cabinet secretary for education, launched the 'Alternative Literacy Panel' after an investigation found cueing was still being used in Welsh schools, despite being stopped in England more than 20 years ago. Cueing sees children taught to read by guessing words from pictures or the context of a sentence.
Read moreB.C. Expands Free Adult Literacy Programs to More Communities
05-Aug-2025 - Canada
British Columbia is expanding access to free adult literacy programs to help people across the province improve essential skills in reading, writing, math, and digital literacy. The provincial government is investing $3.4 million annually through the Community Adult Literacy Program to support adults, families, and Indigenous communities
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