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Govt. committed to raise literacy levels – Ngoma
Kasama, September 8th, 2014, ZANIS —– GOVERNMENT says it’s committed to ensure that literacy levels are raised in the country.
Education deputy minister Patrick Ngoma says the PF government was erecting schools and introducing adult classes at every learning institution around the country.
He revealed that currently, over 18 000 adult learners were attending classes in adult literacy centers countrywide through government initiatives with support from various stakeholders.
Mr. Ngoma said going by this year’s theme, thus : “ Literacy and sustainable development, “ the government believes that no sustainable development can be attained without a literate society.
ZANIS reports that the minister said this during the commemoration of International literacy day held at Musa Farm Institute in Kasama District , today.
The event attracted senior government officials and representatives from UNESCO, Zambia Nation Education Coalition (ZANEC) among other stakeholders.
He said a literate and educated citizenry was instrumental in reducing poverty and ensuring a better quality of life for all Zambians.
And Northern Province minister Freedom Sikazwe said the province was honored to host the International literacy day.
Mr.Sikazwe said owing to the high illiteracy levels especially among women and the youth in the province, government has embarked on a vigorous campaign to support adult learning and early childhood education.
He appealed to elderly people to go back to school and make life easier for them and their families.
Also speaking during the event, senior programmes officer at Zambia National Commission for UNESCO Heather Munachonga called for more investment and increased budgetary allocation towards literacy programmes by world governments.
Ms. Manachonga said an illiterate population was a hindrance to development especially the attainment of the millennium development goals (MDGs).
She said according to UNESCO records, over 780 million adults mostly women and youth were unable to read, write or handle simple arithmetic in the world.
