Bahrain's success to reduce illiteracy highlighted

Sept. 12 (BNA): Education Minister Dr. Majid bin Ali Al-Nuaimi has affirmed that the ministry made remarkable efforts to eradicate illiteracy in the Kingdom of Bahrain and disseminate education among all groups, including the elderly and drop-outs from education due to various reasons. He pointed out that the Kingdom of Bahrain, thanks to the leadership's support, has been able to achieve the objectives of Education For All (EFA) launched by UNESCO, where Bahrain was classified five times in a row among countries with high performance in achieving those goals, which includes the reduction of alphabetical illiteracy rate which does not exceed 2.4%, making it one of the frontrunners among Arab countries. The minister stressed that the right to adult education emanates from the provisions of the Constitution which made education the right of all and as per Law 27/2005 regarding education, which stipulates in clause 9 that: "illiteracy and adult education are a national responsibly aimed to raise the cultural, social and professional levels of citizens, the Ministry assumes implementation of the necessary plans to eradicate illiteracy." In line with the its plan aimed at promoting the principle of life-long learning, the Education Ministry has intensified efforts to eradicate cultural and informatics illiteracy, after its success in reducing the illiteracy rate, through the development of literacy and education programmes to students centres affiliated with the ministry, as well as professional and cultural programmes and workshops implemented by the Continuing Education Department, he said.