Muscat – This year’s theme, ‘Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace’, underscores the importance of multilingual education in fostering dialogue and building more peaceful societies.

The Ministry of Education is using the occasion to showcase its ongoing efforts to eradicate illiteracy and improve literacy rates across the country. Since the academic year 1973-1974, Oman has made significant strides in combating various forms of illiteracy, including reading, writing, cultural, and civilizational aspects.

The Directorate General of Special Education and Continuing Education has spearheaded numerous initiatives aimed at reaching individuals outside the traditional education system. These efforts target adult learners, individuals in care homes, correctional facilities, and people with disabilities. The Ministry’s commitment to eradicating illiteracy is evident through its diverse range of educational programs and supportive measures.

Some of the prominent projects include the learning villages programme, which identifies villages with high illiteracy rates and mobilises community efforts to address the issue. Launched in 2004, this programme has established 30 educated villages across 203 educational departments, enrolling 2,438 students.

The Cooperative Schools Programme has also been instrumental in leveraging existing school resources to support literacy initiatives. Since its start in the academic year 2003-2004, the programme has expanded to 50 cooperative schools across the Sultanate, integrating literacy departments within schools and utilizing volunteer teachers to enhance educational outreach.

Other initiatives include the literacy project for Illiterates in various sectors, such as government units, the private sector, and remote marine villages. These projects provide tailored literacy education and resources, including specialised curricula and certification for literacy.

The Ministry of Education has also facilitated access to adult education by offering literacy classes, preparing qualified teachers, and using digital platforms for student registration. This comprehensive approach reflects the Ministry’s dedication to modernizing adult education and supporting individuals in continuing their educational journeys.