The importance of information management to national development cannot be overemphasized. It is vital to note that information literacy is very significant to the national development of any country as it enables the people to be empowered with necessary information that is relevant to better their lives and develop the country. Through information literacy they are able to combat those challenges that may be affecting them in the society and to enhance various sectors in the country. This is possible because illiteracy and ignorance are reduced by giving the members of society the knowledge and skills that are important to improve their conditions of life
It enables people to able to understand various issues and become aware and active members in the society. It is obtained through various sources such as books, media and any other relevant source of information. It helps to reduce levels of illiteracy in an individual and helps them to become literate so that they can participate positively in the national development process.
In other words when people are developed or empowered it is easy to develop the country in the sense that they contribute positively to the dimensions of development. Information shapes and changes the way citizens in the country think, feel and act to various circumstances in the sense that it builds or strengthens the sense of pride, self esteem and self confidence in the people. This means that it is important to have information literate people in a country to enhance national development because they are the ones who play a vital role in bringing about development in the country.
This is possible due to the fact that the impact of literacy on development is highly influenced by the amount of information the people know or how much knowledge they have acquired. In other words information literacy is meaningful and relevant only if it is able to change or transform the living conditions of the people. Information is important and necessary in that it acts likes social instrument or tool for developing human resources and formation of human capital needed to bring about desired development of a nation. It is important to note that the, relationship that exists between information literacy and development is not as simple as it seems to be but a bit complex.
The importance of information to national development include
- General development
Information literacy is imperative in bringing about national development and improving the conditions of society by contributing positively to the dimensions of development. It is important to have information literate people in order to accelerate the rate of development in the a country as it plays an important role by contributing positively to the spheres and dimensions of national development such as economic, social, political, environmental and cultural development.
- Economic development
In the economic sector of a nation, information literacy is vital in the sense that it empowers people to productive and to participate actively in the income generating activities. Information enables people to be aware of the economic status of a nation and help them to find out measures to engage in activities that can improve their economic status and also that of the nation.
- Information literacy and social development
Information has a tendency to leads to education and results in empowering the citizens or the people with the skills and knowledge in order to be functionally productive in the society. It is also clear that the children who coming from information illiterate parents have challenges in concentrating or completing school. This is seen in most families were parents do not consider the importance of school but allow their children to engage in other activities that are not related to formal education. In the same vein it is important to have information literate people especially women. Information plays an important role in the lives of people especially with regards to social development. It brings awareness and insight of the importance of the people to use national facilities or social services such as education and health. For example, people who are information literate have the ability to understand the importance of education and the necessity to go to school and take their children to school. This is vital for national development because development should start at individual level before it matures to national level.
References
Becker, G. (2004).Human Capital. New York: National Bureau of Economic Research.
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Hornby, A. S. (2000).Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary. London: Oxford University Press.
Kelly, M. J. (1999).The Origins and Development of Education in Zambia:Pre Colonial Times to 1996. Lusaka: Image Publishers Ltd.
United Nations (1991).The World’s Women . New York: United Nations.
