ABSTRACT
IT HAS LONG been recognised that a sound standard of literacy and numeracy provides the key to individual and national prosperity. While these are priority areas within the compulsory or pre-16 education sector supported by the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies, there is a considerable need to develop these skills among adults. The term ‘basic skills’, or more particularly ‘adult basic skills’ (ABS), is used to describe literacy and numeracy skills pertinent to post-compulsory education. ABS also includes the provision of language skills to those for whom English is their second language; this is usually called English for Speakers of Other Languages, or ESOL. From 2004, information and communication technology, or ICT will also become a basic skill.
