Plan on the anvil to eradicate illiteracy: MoE

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Ministry of Education (MoE) has announced a new programme to end illiteracy in the country.

The ministry also plans to double literacy courses, saying it needed more funding and budget to achieve its targets.

According to a UNESCO report in 2021, the number of literate people in Afghanistan increased from 34 percent to 43 percent.

Based on the report, the number of illiterate people in Afghanistan above 15 reached 12 million — 7.2 million female and 4.8 million male.

Mohammad Ibrahim Omari, director of the literacy department, told Pajhwok: “Literacy issues are dealt with mostly through courses and schools. We have 78 literacy schools in Afghanistan that provide primary, secondary and vocational education.”

He added about 18 local education centres had been active in the country, providing different types of education to displaced people.

He said the number of participants of these courses was increasing. To end illiteracy, he noted, more funds were required and the issue had been shared with the authorities concerned.

Amina, a literacy course teacher, said she had been teaching for 25 years, enabling 50-60 students to graduate annually.

“I urge the government to provide my students with stationery and impart them professional knowledge in addition to lessons,” she demanded.

Zarghona, a literacy course participant, said: “I have been studying as part of this course for a month now and I have learned a lot.”

sa/mud

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