The Minister of Education witnesses the celebration of the General Authority for Adult Education on the Arab Day for Literacy

Dr. Reda Hegazy, Minister of Education and Technical Education, witnessed today the celebration of the General Authority for Adult Education for the Arab Day for Literacy Eradication under the title: "Climate and Environment Issues as an Introduction to Adult Education in the Arab World", at the headquarters of the General Authority for Adult Education.
The Minister emphasized that the file of illiteracy is one of the important files, and that it is one of the most serious problems that impede the process of construction, development and progress, not only in Egypt, but in our Arab world and the whole world. Spelling illiteracy is a negative aspect within the limits of the educational concept, and there is a relationship between the high rate of education among the population, young and old, and progress in its comprehensive sense, indicating that for this reason the international community has taken the eighth of September as a day for the eradication of illiteracy.
The minister added that Egypt celebrates this day with a slogan for it under the title: "Climate and Environment Issues as an Introduction to Adult Education in the Arab World". It was held from 6 to 18 November 2022 in Sharm El-Sheikh, and in conjunction - also - with the launch of the political leadership initiative (Prepare for Green), which comes within the framework of the National Strategy for Sustainable Development "Egypt 2030", and aims to change behaviors and spread environmental awareness.
The minister continued that the issue of illiteracy is a societal issue, and the solution to this issue takes place with the participation and concerted efforts of all members of society, indicating that the ministry is currently concerned with the entrance to learning and the extent of the level of achievement, noting that the ministry has introduced in the new structure the central administration for dropping out of education and eradicating illiteracy.
The minister stated that, according to what statistics and ratios indicate, it was found that illiteracy is a rural female, and the illiteracy rate in Egypt reached the end of 2022, according to official statistics and according to the statistical report of the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics for the year 2016, where the illiteracy rate reached in the age group 15 years and over, in Males (40%), while the percentage in females reached (60%), and its statement is as follows: males (23.2%), and females (34.6%), with a total of (29.0%). According to the Information Center of the Public Authority for Adult Education until 31/12/2022, the percentages refer to The illiteracy rate in the age group 15 years and over is as follows: males (19.4%) and females (28.3%), with a total of (23.8%).
The minister explained that the rapid methodological steps must be taken through dialogue and discussion on a specific issue, through the use of exciting dialogue stimuli such as pictures - proverbs - stories ... and others), and following the developmental and right approach in eradicating illiteracy, and this is summarized in the participation The facilitator with the student in preparing the educational material; Because the illiterate is not ignorant, but he has experience that we must build upon, and this was confirmed by the great scholar Paulo Freire. Until we teach him the symbol”, that is, every student learns according to his experience and speed of learning, and thus we can overcome the problem of the students’ reluctance to read and write, as well as the regression to illiteracy.
At the end of his speech, the Minister sent a number of messages - he proposes to work on them during the coming period - for a citizen who is free from illiteracy, who is able to live and participate in the development of himself and his society, and they include the following: Adopting the developmental and empowering approach in adult education and learning, and trying to teach the student a craft next to Teaching reading and writing, and because illiteracy is rural female, it is necessary to focus on females, the backbone of development in our Arab societies, especially in villages and hamlets, and the countryside in general, in addition to relying on technology in the adult education file as one of the demands of the era in light of the Fifth Industrial Revolution, in addition to the trend towards Preserving the environment from pollution, learning about climate issues, and instilling concepts of citizenship and belonging; To reduce violence, terrorism and extremism.
For his part, Dr. Muhammad Nassif, head of the executive body of the Public Authority for Adult Education, confirmed that this celebration aims to raise awareness among adult learners and the community about climate issues, preserving the environment and environmental health systems, and studying modern strategies in the field of illiteracy eradication, which emphasizes the adoption of the communication strategy between generations. Family and functional illiteracy eradication, interest in medium and small projects to provide adult academics with life skills, and identification of new programs that are keen to improve the social, economic and environmental aspects of the life of Arab and Egyptian citizens, in addition to adopting effective and voluntary initiatives emphasized by the political leadership, which would network and partner. Among all sectors of society in the Arab world, with the aim of getting rid of this nightmare, the future begins with the eradication of spelling illiteracy.
Dr. Muhammad Nassif reviewed the achievements of the authority in the remarkable decline in the illiteracy rate, which decreased to 24.2%, to become on the verge of completion as defined by the Egyptian state’s plan as a national security issue, as well as presenting a presentation of veganism as an introduction to adult education and learning to achieve and sustain development in the Arab world and how this can be invested in adult education and learning at the level of policies and programmes.

In a speech by Dr. Faraj Al-Ajmi, Director of the Education Department at the League of Arab States, delivered on his behalf by Walid Othman, General Coordinator of the Arab Decade for the Eradication of Literacy at the League of Arab States: “Our Arab countries are not isolated from what is going on around them of interest in adult education issues, but rather they are a key partner in achieving the goal The world has witnessed the holding of several conferences that dealt with the best ways to eradicate illiteracy, especially in light of the health conditions represented by the Corona pandemic, in addition to the wars and armed conflicts taking place in the Arab region, indicating that the framework of the Marrakesh Conference, which is one of these conferences Which presents future visions that contribute to achieving the goals of lifelong learning for adults. The goals of the Arab decade for the eradication of illiteracy are proactive and consistent with what the world calls for rethinking and searching for new mechanisms for adult education and learning.

The ceremony was attended by Dr. Muhammad Nassif, Head of the Executive Body of the General Authority for Adult Education, Dr. Salama Daoud, President of Al-Azhar University, Dr. Jihan Kamal, Assistant Minister of Education for the National Center for Educational Research, and Walid Othman, General Coordinator of the Arab Decade for Literacy at the League of Arab States, on behalf of Dr. Farraj Al-Ajmi, Director of the Department. Education in the League of Arab States, and representatives of supporting and partner agencies from government agencies, civil society institutions and political parties.