Illiterate Slovenes?

The latest survey of Slovenia’s adult population, which was conducted in 1998 as part of International Adult Literacy Survey, indicated that 74 % of Slovenes, between the ages of 16 and 64, are not functionally literate. This means that they cannot write a job application, they have difficulties with calculation or that they cannot unravel the directions for use of certain products. Slavists (Slovene language experts) contend that one of the reasons for this is that the directions are poorly written or translated.
Teachers play a very important role in developing a child’s attitude towards books and reading; however, a child’s parents are the main role models in this process. Parents should introduce their children to books at an early age and instil them with a healthy regard, if not a love, for books and reading as soon as is possible. The fact is that to be literate it is not enough for a person to be simply able to identify words and letters but to be able to learn different forms and combinations of words and therefore be in a position to constantly upgrade their literacy.
Whether the level of literacy in Slovenia is improving or deteriorating is difficult to establish and will not be known until 2006 when the results of a new survey conducted by the International Reading Institute will be published.

This could actually be true. 74% sounds a lot, but I've seen it myself. When accepting claims for reimbursements, most of the people cannot even compose a descent covering letter to go with it. Some people just tear a sheet of paper from a notebook, scrible something on and mail it. It is definitely alarming.