Literacy day is embarked globally to emphasize the importance of literacy, this year the day is being observed worldwide under the theme, Transforming Literacy Learning Spaces.
An event to commemorate the day was organized at headquarters Islamabad. The meeting was attended by all staff of NCHD. NCHD held walks and seminars at local level in 113 districts countrywide.
Current literacy rate of Pakistan is 62.3 which mean that an estimated population of 60 million is illiterate in the country. Accordingly Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training has included LITERACY in the national education priorities. Out of the 22.8 million out-of-school children (OOSC), 78% fall into the 10-to-16-year cohort whereas 23% are urban and 77% are rural children as shown in the figure (PAMC, 2022). Gender-wise statistics are equally grim as 53% of the OOSC are girls compared with 47% boys.
NCHD being the lead agency for literacy has contributed its role in improving literacy situation in the country. NCHD had established over 176,220 adult literacy centers across the country and made 4.07 million adults literate with 90% females’ since2002. NCHD has won UNESCO International Literacy Award in 2006 in recognition of its outstanding work to promote literacy in Pakistan. NCHD successfully implemented several innovative projects in the field of literacy and skill development, Mobile based literacy program, Community learning Centers, Literacy for Prisoners, and Video Lessons on the syllabus of NCHD. NCHD has prepared the National Plan of Action for Literacy and NFBE in consultation with provincial governments. Currently NCHD is running 1510 ALCs in 118 districts of Pakistan, where 37,750 learners are enrolled.
