The council of Arnhem has decided to take action in the fight against illiteracy in the city. The politicians want the mayor of Arnhem and the chairmen of the executive committee to have a plan next year.
Arnhem scores below the national average of illiterate inhabitants, with sixteen per cent. The national average is thirteen per cent. It is estimated that in the Netherlands, 1.5 million people are illiterate (cannot read or write) of all groups, immigrants and migrants, young and old.
The politicians in Arnhem emphasize that attention for adults who cannot read or write deserves the highest priority. This is due to the fact that adults have to arrange a lot of things with the government via filling in forms.
This information society needs people who can read and write. Illiteracy leads to drop-outs in school, difficult access to the labour market, less participation in society, social exclusion and a bad health.
