Information literacy at school level: A comparative study between the Netherlands and South Africa

Abstract

This articfe investigates. on a comparative basis. the current status of information literacy at school level in both the Netherlands and in South Africa. It is argued that information literacy has become one of the most important skills in the information society and that governments have a specific responsibility towards their citizens to prepare them for the challenges posed by the era in which we are living. The concept of information literacy is introduced and the link between information literacy and information education is illustrated. The current Dutch and South African educational systems are discussed from an information literacy perspective. It is concfuded that both governments understand the importance of information literacy. but still focus on leT literacy. It is furthermore argued that libraries can play an important role in the introduction of information literacy at school level.