Continue only for persons aged 10 years or more
[Questions 13-19 were asked of persons age 10+.]
14. Which languages can the person read and write with understanding?
English
[] 1 Yes
[] 2 No
Pidgin
[] 1 Yes
[] 2 No
Motu
[] 1 Yes
[] 2 No
Tokples
[] 1 Yes
[] 2 No
Questions on Education
The next four questions are on education and literacy. Information on education and literacy is important because it tells us how many people have attended school and helps us plan for the education needs of the community in the future.
Question 14: Literacy.
This question is about whether or not people can read and write with understanding.
Q14. Which languages can the person read and write with understanding?
[] English: 1. Yes; 2. No
[] Pidgin: 1. Yes; 2. No
[] Motu: 1. Yes; 2. No
[] Tokples: 1. Yes; 2. No
Who to ask: Ask the head of the household or the person responding.
Get this information for: All persons 10 years and older. That is, all persons born before 9 July 1990. If date of birth is not recorded, use age in given years.
How to ask: "Which of the following can you/he/she read and write with understanding?"
-This question is not about spoken language but about reading and writing with understanding.
-That is, not just saying or copying the words, but understanding what is written and able to write.
How to record: Write "1" for "Yes", or "2" for "No" in the box beside each language.
-If the person reads and write English with understanding, write 1 in the box beside English.
-If the person speaks Tok Ples but does not read or write it, write 2 for "No".
-Write the correct codes beside each language, English, Pidgin, Motu and Tok Ples.
-Tokples is same as mother tounge. For example, if Motu or French is spoken, it must be recorded as Tokples.
Note: A person is considered to be able to read and write a language only if he or she can both read and write with understanding, a short simple letter or message in that language. A person who can only read and write figures or his name, or memorize a phrase should not be considered as able to read and write with understanding.
People may be sensitive about this, so after explaining what the question means, the interviewer should accept the person's word without further questioning.