How many people in Nepal can read and write down their names (that basically qualifies one as literate")? Apparently in the maze of figures bandied about, no one can be sure, as could be seen on the occasion of International Literacy Day on 8 September.

The Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) and the National Planning Commission (NPC) figures based on a three-year-old survey conducted in 37 districts, puts national literacy at 52 percent. UNESCO says something else. According to its report for the year 2000, 32.8 percent Nepalis are literate.

The different findings arise from the different parameters used. While the government includes everyone above the age of six in its surveys, UNESCO does not count children below 15 years.

The UNDP reports adult literacy in its annual Human Development Report, and the figures for 1998 (the last available date), was 21.7 percent for females and 56.9 percent for males. This one is another mismatch with government numbers.

Functional literacy?that is how many can actually use literacy skills in everyday life?is something none of the statistics tell. Experts believe that could be lower than even what UNESCO reports.