Crunching the Numbers on Literacy – Scientology Volunteer Ministers in India

According to UNESCO, there are 771 million illiterate adults in the world today, about two-thirds of whom are women. Nearly two-thirds of the world's illiterate adults are found in only 9 countries, and 45% of the world's 771 million illiterate adults live in India and China (34% and 11% respectively).

But the problem of illiteracy is not confined to so-called Third World nations. Last week the US Department of Education announced that more than a third of Washington D.C. residents were found to be functionally illiterate.

And despite a US law that went into effect five years ago, known as “No Child Left Behind,” (signifying teacher responsibility to bring all students up to grade level performance), little has changed for the individual student. Today’s news is full of controversy over whether this law has made any difference at all, and teachers, who are dedicated to helping their pupils succeed in their school work are still stymied by the lack of an effective technology of learning.

The study of how one learns, long a concern of philosophy, was an important focus for Scientology founder, L. Ron Hubbard. In his studies into the mind and spirit, L. Ron Hubbard gained great understanding of the mind and how one learns new things. But it was in his research on how to train Scientologists to apply Scientology and Dianetics spiritual technology that he discovered the basic laws of study: laws that pertain to any subject and enable the individual to competently apply what he or she has learned.

Moved by the extent of the social decay of the 1970’s Mr. Hubbard created the Scientology Volunteer Ministers (VMs) program to counter the alarming trend of crime and immorality. As a facet of this program he had the Scientology Handbook compiled, as the text VMs could use to learn technology capable of turning this around. And noting the correlation between illiteracy and criminality, he directed that the basic information on study technology be included in this volume.

Recently, a seminar was provided to teachers at Sir JJPBI English School for Girls in Mumbai, India by the Scientology Volunteer Ministers India Goodwill Tour. The seminar was based on a chapter of the Scientology Handbook called, “The Technology of Study.” It was an unqualified success.

The seminar included basic information on breakthroughs L. Ron Hubbard made in the field of learning. As stated on the Volunteer Ministers web site, “Solving this problem has everything to do with the success and future of an individual and a community itself. Volunteer Ministers provide this technology to students, parents and educators so they can do something effective about learning difficulties and illiteracy.”

And that is exactly what the teachers at Sir JJPBI English School got out of their seminar. Here are some of the results they experienced.

The course refreshed many concepts that one tends to ignore or forget during the course of teaching over a long period of time. It also introduced new techniques to enhance study skills and performance of students,” said one of the teachers.

The seminar was very interesting,” said another teacher, who was particularly happy to now know “the different ways to teach small children who lose interest in their studies.” What’s more, the seminar drove home the point that “to teach somebody, it is necessary that they be able to learn.”

Teachers were very pleased to learn these techniques worked with all their students, and helped them handle the bright ones along with those with learning disabilities.

In this course I got a broad knowledge of the technology of how to learn,” said one of the teachers. “It will be of great help for me in my teaching profession.”

It helped me to identify the problems of distracted students and give them remedial teaching,” said another teacher.

Another described it as “of immense use to the students. The various barriers to learning were enlightening and the measures suggested will definitely be implemented.”

And when asked how they would use this to help their students, their answers included:

Teaching will be more meaningful and interesting. It has been a wonderful experience. Thank you all.”

This seminar will definitely help us while teaching as well as in our day to day life.”

Any group or organization that wants to greatly improve their own understanding of the subject of study and help others gain these skills can schedule a Volunteer Ministers literacy seminar online on the Scientology Volunteer Minister web site.