About NALA
Background information
The National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) was established in 1980. NALA is an independent membership organisation, concerned with developing policy, advocacy, research and offering advisory services in adult literacy work in Ireland. NALA has campaigned for the recognition of, and response to, the adult literacy issue in Ireland. Below are some 'Current facts & stats about adult literacy in Ireland'.
NALA's mission statement
NALA is an independent, member-based organisation committed to making sure people with literacy and numeracy difficulties can fully take part in society and have access to learning opportunities that meet their needs.
NALA's strategic plan
We have a Strategic Plan for 2007-2010. This plan is monitored by our executive and available from www.nala.ie. Our strategic plan outlines the work of the agency in the next few years.
NALA's information pack
We have an information pack which contains general information about literacy in Ireland which you might be interested in looking at in PDF form. It contains background information such as:
· the extent of the literacy problem in Ireland;
· the causes of the literacy problem; and
· who are our tutors?
Current facts & stats about adult literacy in Ireland
In the 1997 International Adult Literacy Survey (IALS), 25% of the Irish population were found to be at the lowest level of literacy. At present there are more than 44,000 people participating in VEC adult literacy programmes. In general people only have access to two to four hours tuition per week. In order to comprehensively address the adult literacy issue in Ireland, there must be a range of accessible options available for adults to improve their literacy skills.
A summary of the current situation is as follows:
· Over 40,000 learners typically receive two hours literacy tuition per week equivalent to two weeks’ full-time education.
· Over half of all learners are aged between 25-44 years.
· Over 70% of all learners are in group tuition.
· Females comprise 60% of all learners and 40% are male.
· There are 126 locally based Vocational Education Committee (VEC) Adult Literacy Schemes.
· There are 1,250 part-time paid Adult Literacy Tutors and 27 full-time paid tutors.
· There are seven TV literacy series (highest educational broadcast ratings) and two radio (literacy and numeracy) series.
For more information, contact us by email at literacy@nala.ie
