Literacy - not only for children, but for youth and adults - is fundamental for the attainment of individual rights, and can simultaneously generate human and social benefits, as well as economic returns.

Literacy is a human right, a tool of personal empowerment and a means for social and human development: a good quality basic education equips students with literacy skills for life and further learning; literate parents are more likely to send their children to school; literate people are better able to access continuing educational opportunities; and literate societies are better geared to meet pressing development.

The Brazilian government has placed adult literacy and education high on its policy agenda in order to fulfil its commitments to the EFA Goals.