Jordan celebrates literacy rate successes on Arab Literacy Day

AMMAN — Jordan with its long-term action plans has steadily accomplished key steps to eradicate illiteracy, according to Minister of Education Azmi Mahafza.

On the occasion of Arab Literacy Day, which is annually celebrated on January 8, the minister highlighted the necessity of education for all and maintaining a high quality of education.

Proclaimed by the League of Arab States in 1970 as an annual occasion, this day evaluates the accomplishments and progress of literacy programmes at the national and regional levels.

In Jordan, illiteracy rates have plummeted from 88 per cent in 1952 to 67.6 per cent in 1961, reaching 19.5 per cent in 1990, and 4.9 per cent in late 2021, he said.

Participating in the celebration of Arab Literacy Day, Khloud Efishat, a Jordanian Arabic language teacher, said that “Jordan has always been committed to its fight against illiteracy.” 

Improving students’ reading fluency is vital in improving literacy rates, she said.

Noor Manaseer, a teacher at an educational institute, told The Jordan Times that “this day is an occasion to reflect on the decisions and experiences that lower the illiteracy rate”.

 Jordan has always been among the top performing countries in education in the region, with its efforts represented through programmes implemented by the Education Ministry, she added.

Ghayda Amar, a Jordanian educator with over eight years of experience in teaching in the private sector, highlighted the need to boost Arabic language literacy, not only for the development of Arab states, but also as a solution to many complex issues facing society.

“When teaching any subject, we must not forget that it is our main role as educators to hone our students’ skills and abilities through the use of our mother language,” said Amar, adding that “this way, they will value their language more”.