UAE and UN set new literacy challenge for education institutions in Arab world
The Knowledge Summit in Dubai has issued a challenge to Middle East teachers – help us to improve the literacy of underprivileged youths in the region.
“We’re trying to connect universities, schools and ministries of higher education in the region to use their capacity, teachers and all human resources to make a new programme for education,” said Dr Hany Torky, chief technical adviser at the UN Development Programme.
“We invite all children to come learn at their nearest educational institution for free, and the three or four institutions that teach the most students will win an award.”
The Literacy Challenge in the Arab World was launched by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation, in co-operation with the UN programme and Unesco at the summit last week.
“The reasons for low literacy rates in some countries in the region are various,” said Hamed Al Hammami, regional education director at Unesco.
“Some are related to population growth, like Egypt, and the inability of the system to absorb all children in education, as well as political instability, like in Iraq.
“The best strategy is to support countries to have inclusive, comprehensive and good quality education for all and in all levels of education.
“That way you will reduce the coming of new illiterates.”
Mr Al Hammami said achieving progress in the area means widening the concept of literacy to include other competencies, including health and basic vocational training, not only the basics of reading and writing.
“In other words, multiply the benefit of literacy and make the impact sustainable to move from adult education to adult learning,” he said.
“We must create regional quality observatory mechanisms and create partnerships for literacy planning and programme delivery at local, national and regional levels.”
Unesco is focusing on countries in crisis.
“We’re monitoring their progress and supporting regional networks,” Mr Al Hammami said.
“We’re also securing second educational opportunities for children who are out of schools.
The best strategy is to support countries to have inclusive, comprehensive and good quality education for all HAMED AL HAMMAMI Regional education director, Unesco
“Our greatest challenges are that the needs are big and there is lack of resources, as well as a lack of co-ordination among donors and agencies in such countries.”