Myanmar celebrates International Literacy Day 2022

The high number of children out of school and the illiterate cause a huge challenge for the development of the country, said Union Minister for Education Dr Nyunt Pe at the ceremony of International Literacy Day 2022 held in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
The Union minister, in his capacity as Patron of the International Literacy Day Organizing Committee, continued that, according to the 2014 Census, 3.5 million people over the age of 15 were illiterate while 2.7 million children did not complete their primary education for various reasons.
Plans are underway to reduce the number of illiterates over the age of 15. The ministry also drafted the projects to expand the alternative primary education and alternative middle education for the dropout children in the National Education Strategic Plan (2021-2030) and expanded basic literacy programmes for illiterates yearly.
As per this year’s theme “Transforming Literacy Learning Spaces”, relevant ministries, and region/state governments should participate in drafting suitable projects of literacy programmes for young people and adults who do not complete basic primary education in the country.
He also highlighted the free basic education stipulated in the National Education Law 2014, completion of KG+9 and learning opportunities for agriculture and technical technicians.
Then, the Secretary-General of the Myanmar National Commission for UNESCO and Rector of the Yangon University of Foreign Languages read out the message for International Literacy Day 2022 from the UNESCO Secretary-General.
Next, the video clip for International Literacy Day 2022 was played and students from the No 5 BEHS in Zabuthiri Township of Nay Pyi Taw sang the song “Sar-Tat-Myauk-Yay-Wine-Ku-Pay.”
The Union minister provided cash awards to the students and viewed round the booths. —MNA