Illiteracy in UK

It wasn't always like that in the UK. Over a period of about 20 or so years, the education standards in schools have, in my opinion, seriously declined. Also the social attitude of the country in general has deteriorated to such a point where people value possessions, celebrities, football and generally making a nuisance of themselves above more precious things such as the ability to read and write a grammatically correct sentence.

I also wonder how it comes. Same here in my country and the thing is we all go to school. They raised the age now (esp. if you can't find a job). So the only reason I can think out is that schools are not ok or the teachers are. I can't understand how come they can't notice even at highschool there are still people who can't read or write, this is something you already learn at the age of 6 (and nowadays at the age of 4 years old). So even without highschool you should be able to read, write, count. Lately I heard in the news that kids who are raised in two languages should be more intelligent. Very hard to believe since these kids are the outlaw over here. Even if they are born in this country and spent 8 hours a day at school they speak and write very badly dutch. Not to forget to mention the other languages they have to learn (English for example). My kids join a "worldschool" it's shocking how bad the other kids, read, write, spell, count in my kid's classes. Only good thing is they all have extra lessons each week. I hope it will help but I doubt it.

that is surprising. how do they define illiterate. does it mean those that have no formal education would be considered illiterate. anyway, i wonder how much is the illiteracy in our country after all there are so many poor people that can't afford to go school even in public school because of lack of food and clothes and money for allowance in school.

It makes me wonder why it'so much higher in Italy? And what about the rest of the world. Like Germany, Russia and Spain. How about China and Japan?

Be fair! Half of the adults in Britain seem to be illegal immigrants that have snuck in under the noses of the authorities who were off having cups of tea or something like that. Considering how many illegals there are in Britain, it's amazing they could find ANYONE who speaks, reads and writes in English.

It's a surprising fact.Maybe people in rich countries are in a hurry earning because there are available jobs even if you don't have high educational attainment.Thus,they are not valuing education that much,and some only have their college degrees when they will be older.In developing countries like the Philippines,we value education so much but the sad thing is there are no jobs for the new graduates,even for those who are having 2 college degrees.

That s very hard to believe, and very sad if it's true. I have an illiterate neighbour here in Canada. He was harassing us, and we had to take him to court. He needed a lawyer and a few friends to help him read the paperwork, and he could barely sign his name.