Wow!

Having just read this little piece of news, I am shocked. Though if I think about it, no, I am not. Having struggled with getting through to very thick teachers and seeing exactly how the education system here in Italy works. I am not surprised. I have to wonder how many of these "illiterates" have a learning disability/difference that was never addressed?

EDUCATION: NEARLY 6 MILLION ITALIANS ARE ILLITERATE
(AGI) - Rome, Nov 14 - In Italy, nearly 6 million people (11.11pct of the population) are illiterate, a study conducted by the National Anti-Illiteracy Union reveals. The conclusions of the study were presented this morning at a meeting featuring the likes of former Education Minister and reknown linguist Tullio De Mauro and Senator and former RAI CEO Sergio Zavoli. Based on figures taken from the latest census (2001), the study shows that on top of the 'education ladder' is the 7.51pct of Italians who hold a university degree, followed by 25.85 pct who hold a high school degree. Another 30.12pct of the population holds a junior high-school certificate, whereas 36.2pct have an elementary school certificate or, as is the case with nearly 6,000 Italians, can be regarded as illiterate. (AGI) -
141829 NOV 05

And maybe the translater of this page should brush up on his English. In Italian one thousand is the word, mille, which is a false friend of the English, million. The last number should be, 6,000,000. Six million. According to the World Fact Book, there are as of July 2005, 58,103,033 people living in Italy. I have no opinion. I am just writing the facts.

Krista