JEDDAH, 9 November 2005 — As a result of the success of an innovative illiteracy eradication campaign launched last year in a poor district of Jeddah, the Education Administration for Girls in Jeddah is expanding the campaign to include three other districts beginning next week.
“The Enlightened Neighborhood” is different and more effective than other anti-illiteracy programs because it aims to develop educational and practical skills so that the women can become productive members of society.
Last year the program was launched in Petromin district in south Jeddah where a high rate of illiteracy and poverty has been prevalent. The program was successful and the Governor of Makkah, Prince Abdul Majeed, and the Ministry of Education have approved its expansion to three other districts in Jeddah: Al-Jamia, Al-Rawabi and Quwaisa.
The program is aimed at illiterate women between the ages of 15 and 45. It runs for 20 weeks with four courses a day, five days a week in three training centers in the three neighborhoods.
The students will be offered basic courses in reading/writing, Qur’an, Islamic studies and math which will prepare them for additional anti-illiteracy courses. Along with the courses, the students also take courses and workshops that provide them with basic life skills and information related to health care, the environment, social behavior, computers, English and subjects of interest.
Other bodies such as the Ministries of Health, Interior and Islamic Affairs will participate by providing lectures on family health, drug abuse and women’s rights. The goal is to raise the women’s awareness and give them skills which will lead to employment opportunities.
The Illiteracy Eradication Unit of the Education Administration is supervising the program and will begin it in the three new areas on Saturday. At the end of the training, the students will receive an official certificate at a ceremony and will also be given assistance in finding jobs or undergoing further training.
