Abstract

Illiteracy is a major issue in developing economies, especially where it visibly hampers developmental efforts of a nation. This study was carried out in one of the 36 states in Nigeria that is tagged “educationally disadvantaged’'. The state is in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria where irate and restive youths have caused problems which has threatened Nigeria’s fledging democracy. The attitude of these youths has been blamed on illiteracy. As a way out the state government established 317 Adult literacy centres with 37791 second chance learners. This study therefore sought to find out how literacy was assessed in such centres. Methodological problems encountered by assessors in isolating literate from illiterate second chance learners have been highlighted. Hopefully the outcome of this study will provide impetus for improving literacy efforts of the government