Illiteracy is PNG’s biggest obstacle

ILLITERACY and unemployment are the most daunting challenges being faced by the people of Papua New Guinea.
An estimated 60 to 70 per cent of our population consists of youths and only 20 to 30 per cent have acquired decent education.
Illiteracy and corruption are good bedfellows and they are the main drivers of tribal fights, crimes, high maternal death rate and low life expectancy in PNG.
If the people are illiterate they will never comprehend the basic relationship between their GST/income tax to their rightful basic services.
They will never know how to live a healthy lifestyle, they will lack respect and common understanding, they will never know how to hold the service delivery mechanism accountable for corruption and mismanagement of public monies.
They will not be able to practice their legal rights to protect their land from foreign giant investors who can easily acquire their land and reap their resources through corrupt deals with government officials.
And the saddest thing that PNG will experience this year is the illiterate population not being able to understand how valuable their vote is when going to the polls.
Some will sell their votes for money and material things, and some will vote for their wantoks or family members.
They will not be able to distinguish the real qualities of all intending candidates and the political parties in this election.
Illiteracy can only be countered by promoting education at the grassroots or rural level.
Illiteracy is the greatest risk to PNG’s future.

Nickindi Rambe
Wabag, Enga