Illiteracy: a French fault

Erected as a great national cause in 2013, illiteracy remains a national shipwreck. And this week of mobilization ends with the same observation: 2.5 million adults have not acquired sufficient mastery of reading, writing, arithmetic or basic skills during their schooling, according to the definition of ATD Fourth World that today recalls The Parisian.
In total, 7% of the French population are concerned, while the northern countries or Germany have half as many disabled people in everyday life. And contrary to popular belief, notes the daily, 70% of illiterate people grew up in a French-speaking environment.

So, is our educational system the cause of this French evil, asks the journalist. ” Nope. He didn’t decide to make morons. But he does not give himself enough means to manufacture intelligence”, retorts Alain Bentolila.
For this professor of linguistics, specialist in illiteracy, it is necessary to put the package on the kindergarten. No more than 15 students per class, better trained teachers and a system that takes into account the different levels of the class, Alain Bentolila is resolutely focusing on prevention. And on the evaluation of this learning at key dates in schooling, such as CP and 6th grade. Under these conditions, perhaps, the word will no longer clack like an insult that has passed into everyday language.