Key points about adult literacy and 26TEN
• Too many adult Tasmanians don’t have the reading, writing, maths and oral communication skills they need for life and work in the modern world.
• 26TEN is a unique, long-term campaign to lift literacy and numeracy in Tasmanian adults.
• Everyone can help. We make a difference when we all work together.
• 26TEN refers to the 26 letters of the alphabet we use for reading and writing and the ten digits we use for counting.
• 26TEN is a campaign with a network of over 800 organisations and people committed to improving adult literacy and numeracy in Tasmania. Business, community, government and individuals are working together to improve adult literacy and numeracy.
• 26TEN will launch the 26TEN Chat in February 2019. The Chat supports people who work with or know people with low literacy to have a conversation encouraging them to seek help.
What do we mean by literacy and numeracy?
Literacy and numeracy mean more than being able to read, write and add up. They are about using these skills, as well as speaking, listening and thinking creatively, when we interact with others each day. Often we need to do this in a digital or online environment.
New technology and increasing pressure on workplaces mean the skills we need are more complex today than they were 50 years ago.
What is the problem?
The 2011-12 Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC) Survey found only 49.8% of Tasmanian adults had the literacy skills needed for work and life. Just 40.4% had the maths skills. Statistics in mainland states and territories, and other OECD countries are only marginally better.
The survey was run by the Australia Bureau of Statistics for the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
People might have trouble:
• filling in forms
• reading safety signs
• using a calculator
• getting their driver’s licence
• reading to their children
• using internet banking
• understanding medical instructions.
Different factors can cause these problems like poverty, learning difficulties, lack of practice or disruptions to education.
Why do people have low literacy and numeracy?
There are many reasons why people reach adult life with low literacy and numeracy such as:
• disruptions to schooling or home life
• childhood illness
• generational disadvantage
• lack of practice
• learning disabilities.
Why do we need to raise skill levels?
Raising skills is vital for Tasmanians and our community. Good literacy and numeracy improve a person’s quality of life and makes them more likely to:
• have a job
• earn a good income
• be healthy
• take part in society.
Children perform better at school if their parents can read to them and help them with their learning.
Communities are more resilient, with more income per person, if they have higher literacy and numeracy levels. Businesses are more productive and society is more prosperous.
What’s Tasmania doing about it?
We live in a great state with many exciting opportunities. But too many adult Tasmanians are held back because their reading, writing, numeracy and speaking skills aren’t strong enough for the demands of daily life and work.
Across Australia, all states and territories face a similar challenge.
What sets Tasmania apart is we have a long-term strategy for change; 26TEN Tasmania: Tasmania’s Strategy for Adult Literacy and Numeracy 2016-2025. It sets the framework for action for businesses, community groups, government, education and training providers and individuals, those who want to live in a state where all adults have the reading, writing, numeracy and communications skills they need for life.
What is 26TEN?
26TEN refers to the 26 letters of the alphabet and the 10 digits we use for reading, writing and counting. The tools for literacy and numeracy. The tools for life.
26TEN brings together businesses, community, government organisations and individuals committed to improving adult literacy in Tasmania.
26TEN helps to connect Tasmanians with a range of programs and services offered by member organisations including Libraries Tasmania, Mission Australia and TasTAFE. And it helps businesses and organisations find out how they can take their own action to contribute to the collective effort.
Our vision is for all Tasmanians to have the literacy and numeracy skills they need for work and life.
We want a state where:
• Everyone knows about adult literacy and numeracy
• Everyone is supported to improve their skills and to help others
• Everyone communicates clearly
26TEN is supported by:
• the 26TEN Coalition – a group of Tasmanians committed to motivating a broader range of sectors in Tasmania to join the effort • the 26TEN Network – over 760 organisations, businesses, community groups, government agencies and individuals are 26TEN members and supporters who raise awareness, build skills and support Tasmanians
Picture: 2018 members of the coalition meet with Saul Eslake.
26TEN offers:
• a targeted 26TEN grants program to fund projects to improve the literacy skills of Tasmanians in workplaces and 26TEN communities • free literacy awareness workshops to raise awareness and promote action
• easy access to a 1300 00 2610 service providing a free and confidential guide to refer Tasmanians seeking help.
For more information email: email@26ten.tas.gov.au