What About the Adults?

As highlighted in this week’s “Frugal Innovation” and “The Prophet of Cheap” articles, one focus of social innovation these days is improving the educational tools available to children, both K-12 and college-age, within the developing world (Das) (Greenburg). Such tools are designed to help children complete their studies and become more technologically adept, all at a relatively low cost. Despite doubts regarding the feasibility of creating these tools at costs that the BOP can afford, few would argue that the endeavor to do so is not noble. Despite these honorable efforts, I contend that they are somewhat shortsighted in that they mostly focused on children and are thus missing out on a key market: adults. As mentioned in “The Prophet of Cheap,” 70% of adults in Afghanistan, a country targeted by OPLC, are illiterate (Greenburg). This situation is similar in other developing countries, accounting for a worldwide illiterate population of 18% of adults (CIA - The World Fact Book). Geographically, high illiteracy rates “are concentrated in three regions, the Arab states, South and West Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa, where around one-third of the men and half of all women are illiterate (2005 est.) (CIA - The World Fact Book)” I argue that, if targeted at this adult market, socially innovative technological techniques can do much to reduce the issue of illiteracy within the developing world. Such a focus can lead to a reduction of BOP poverty and hunger issues since studies show that the ability to read is closely tied to “an individual’s ability to earn enough money to eat well” (Yates). Furthermore, studies indicate that, on a national scale, “low levels of literacy…can impede the economic development of a country in the current rapidly changing, technology-driven world” (CIA - The World Fact Book). Based on these factors, it is clear an increased focus on literacy can assist both individuals and nations with improving their economic standing. Although focusing on childhood literacy and education is both noble and needed, overlooking adults is not an intelligent solution. Rather, the focus should be on both raising a child’s educational level, thus increasing the likelihood for his family’s success in the future, AND increasing the literacy of his parents, thus helping to increase the family’s economic success in the present. Fellow classmates, what do you think? Is there an untapped market here? Should the focus of these educational toolmakers be broadened to include adults? Would doing so make a significant and sustainable difference to people’s lives? Or, am I off base; do you think that enough is already being done to address the issue of adult literacy? Share your thoughts! Sources: CIA - The World Fact Book. n.d. 2 November 2010 . Das, Saswato R. "Frugal Innovation: India Plans to Distribute Low-Cost Handheld Computers to Students." Scientific American 28 September 2010: 3. Greenburg, Andy. "The Prophet of Cheap." Forbes.com 10 January 2010: 2. Yates, Diana. "Hunger Atlas Takes a New Look at an Old Problem." News Bureau - University of Illinois 6 July 2010: 1.