In discussing the role that the Department of
Non-Formal Education can play in environmental
education, Tau (1992) indicated that the department
is an enabling organization because of
the crucial role literacy has in communication.
According to Tau (1992) literacy in this context
is vital because apart from being a basic human
right, it expands an individual's choice and control
over ones environment and allows for collective
actions, which otherwise would not be possible. Literacy is also recognized as a tool for success
in other development programmes by improving
communication skills and making it
possible for people to acquire useful information.
A literate individual will assume greater powers of
communication, critical consciousness and control
over their environment.