Celebration of Literacy Day in Northern Province of AFG

Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope. It is a tool for daily life in modern society”. ― Kofi Annan

The Literacy Day was celebrated in the northern provinces of Afghanistan, in Mazar, Jawzjan, Sar-e-Pul, and Kunduz with the support of ANAFAE.

General literacy rate is 36 % throughout the country but in many Provinces and district the literacy rate especially among women is only 9 %.

Unfortunately, we can observe a dramatic underfunding in this important essential field of education.

The Literacy Day events in the northern provinces brought together representatives from government, international and national educational organizations, NGOs, private sectors, literacy education students, teachers, and media.

During the opening session of the Literacy Day in Mazar, Sardar Mohammad Rahimi, Deputy Minister of Ministry of Education, noted that the National Literacy Department has signed 43 cooperation agreements with 43 organizations, mainly NGOs, to implement literacy programs in the country which 23 of them are approved from presidency. Furthermore, he highlighted that the National Literacy Department signed a contract  with Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled and Ministry of Finance.

The Director of the Balkh Literacy Department, Nasir Ahamd Ahmadi, informed that they are implementing literacy programs for 20.000 learners and fortunately 60 % of the literacy learners are women. He addressed the graduation of 18.750 literacy learners. In addition, he added that the Provincial Literacy Department of Mazar-e-Sharif faces budget limitation, the lack books, learning material and facilities; he calls upon people to mobilize for literacy education.

The important engagement of ANAFAE was appreciated by Literacy Department of the northern provinces. The Governor’s Office of Balkh and the Provincial Shura present their appreciation to ANAFAE.