Western Region registers 7,500 adult learners for literacy classes

Bibiani (W/R), Sept 10, GNA - A total of 7,500 adult learners, including prison inmates, have registered for the Functional Literacy Programme in the Western Region.

Out of the total, 4,500 are females.

Mr Sam Awortwi, Regional Coordinator of the Non-Formal Education Division (NFED) of the Ministry of Education, said apart from helping the learners to read and write they were also being assisted to acquire skills to venture into income generating activities.

He was speaking at the regional celebration of this year's Literacy Day at Bibiani. "Literacy 96 Our Peace and Strength for Development" is the theme. He invited all illiterate adults and school drop outs to take advantage of the programme to broaden their outlook.

Mrs Susana Berdie, Deputy Director of the NFED, said there was a strong correlation between development and the level of literacy among the people.

It is for this reason that the nation needed to step up the fight against illiteracy, which is not just a constraint to socio-economic progress but also a hindrance to national unity and integration. She encouraged the facilitators to show commitment and enthusiasm in the job they were doing.

Mrs Berdie appealed to metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies to be more supportive of the Adult Literacy Programme.