Wednesday, 10 September 2008

Hun Sen lauds world literacy day

Cambodge Soir

10-09-2008

Monks, ministers and local authorities mobilised in the fight against illiteracy.

“Literacy is the key for development", declared the Cambodian Prime Minister in a press release dated September 8, on the occasion of UNESCO world literacy day.

It is within the framework of the UNESCO initiated “literacy decade 2003-2012” that Hun Sen made several recommendations concerning his country. The aim of this programme is to reduce adult illiteracy by 50 per cent around the world.

The prime Minister asked members of the government to collect information among families during their travels around the country. As for monks, they should promote literacy in pagodas and local authorities should provide more opportunities to learn how to read and write for those in need.

According to the National Statistics Institute, the illiteracy rate in Cambodia was 74 per cent in 2004. In 2008 UNESCO estimates 778 million illiterate people around the world.

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