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RIYADH: The illiteracy rate among Saudi women dropped to 8.27 percent last year, according to the Ministry of Education.
A ministry source said that from only five adult education centers 45 years ago, there are now 1,438 covering language and other lessons. There are 1,357 centers for elementary education that produced 491,540 graduates. There is also a community program “Society Without Illiteracy” that has individualized instruction. As many as 269,845 women have benefited from these services since its launch in 2008. Another program, called “Neighborhood Learner Program” promotes literacy across the Kingdom with 111,766 individuals having finished the course.
The source said 25,476 candidates have also graduated from a program “City Without illiteracy” in Madinah, Makkah and Shaqra province. As a result, these cities have been declared free from illiteracy.
Another 16,299 also benefited from six years of awareness and literacy campaigns targeting rural women in villages where illiteracy is high. There is also another program for working Saudis unable to continue their studies. The ministry allows them to attend classes for two hours daily, which has resulted in 6,141 graduates.
Those enrolled also get financial incentives and SR1,000 for successfully finishing.