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Education Minister Prince Khaled Al-Faisal.

Saudi Arabia has surpassed the Dakar Education Conference’s objective of erasing illiteracy among the elderly by 50 percent by 2015.

The Kingdom notified UNESCO that it has been able to erase 60.61 percent of illiteracy by the end of 2013, reducing illiteracy rates by 6.81 percent.

Education Minister Prince Khaled Al-Faisal said this achievement proves the ability of Saudi people to reach their goals. “Education comes at the top of sectors that reflect the true image of any nation.” The Kingdom will continue its strategic program to eliminate illiteracy, he added.

Prince Khaled has received a report on the ministry’s adult education program that includes awareness campaigns and evening classes.

Those who complete the three-year course are given certificates equal to elementary school certificate, and a financial reward of SR1,000 each.

The report confirmed the decrease of illiteracy among Saudis who are above 15 years to 3.75 percent among males and 9.92 percent among females. This success has enabled the Kingdom to reap international awards such as the Illiteracy Elimination Award from the International Organization for Education, Culture and Sciences; King Si Kong Award for Erasing Illiteracy and the Scientific Award for Teaching the Elderly from the International Council for Educating the Elderly.

In the year 2000 around 164 delegates attended the International Forum for Adult Education in Senegal, which set the goal of providing education for everyone and improve the levels of erasing illiteracy by 50 percent by the year 2015, especially amongst women.

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