Education Minister urges engagement in the literacy challenge in PNG

• UNESCO Apia/ K. Kispe
• PNG literacy project launch

The Papua New Guinea (PNG) Ministry of Education and UNESCO yesterday jointly launched the “Achieving Education for All in PNG through Literacy Initiative for Empowerment” project. In his opening address at the launch, the Minister for Education Honourable James Marabe highlighted the huge challenge facing PNG in the area of literacy.

Honourable Marabe assured those gathered at the launch of his government’s commitment towards addressing the literacy challenge that PNG is facing. Considering the importance of literacy in empowering people, he urged all stakeholders to engage in the effort to address the literacy situation in the country. Honourable Marabe also expressed appreciation for the work UNESCO has been doing over the years to assist his government achieve its educational goals.

In response to the minister’s address the Director of the UNESCO Office for the Pacific, Dr. Visesio Pongi, assured the minister of UNESCO’s ongoing support to PNG. He pointed out that UNESCO recognized the importance of literacy not only in empowering people, but also as the foundation for further studies. He also referred to the established relationship between the level of illiteracy and that of poverty as justification for prioritizing literacy.

Dr Pongi assured the minister of UNESCO’s continued support and referred to the establishment of the UNESCO Antenna office in PNG as an example of UNESCO’s commitment.

At the end of the project launch, Honourable Marabe and Dr. Pongi signed the agreement for implementing of the project. The literacy project in PNG funded by the Japanese government through its Japanese Fund in Trust.

• Source:UNESCO Apia
• 01-02-2009