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CHALLENGE
Pakistan has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world, and the lowest among countries of comparative resources and socio-economic conditions. According to Ministry of Education, Government of Pakistan the overall literacy rate in the country is 46 per cent, with female literacy of 26 per cent only. Independent sources and educational experts, however, are skeptical. They place the overall literacy rate at 26 per cent and the female literacy at 12 per cent, contending that the higher figures also include those people who can hardly write anything beyond their signature.
Jhang is a District of Punjab province with a population of 1.869million (est. million populations in 2010). It has three tehsils Jhang, Shorkot and Ahmed Pur Sial in its revenue limits and 84 Union Councils (UCs). Almost 70% of the population is involved in agri-culture. Adult literacy rate of District Jhang for age group 15 years and above is 47%. Shakarganj foundation (SF) was established in 2001 by the Shakarganj Mills Limited to extend its welfare activities under the Corporate Social Responsibility and successfully conducted Adult literacy Programs in District Jhang.
The significant reason of child labor is the desire to earn and support the family contrary to the adverse fi-nancial circumstances. Other reasons included low performance in schools, compulsion to work because of family pressure, father’s death, or addiction.
INITIATIVE
With an endeavor to eradicate illiteracy and to promote education in less privileged areas of District Jhang SF approached USAID’s Small Grants & Ambassador’s Fund Program to extend their Adult Literacy Program in 5 Union Councils of District Jhang. A grant of USD 85,637 was awarded under the U.S Ambassador’s Fund Program from Dec 2012to Oct 2013 to provide basic literacy and numeracy skills to 3,550 illiterate women (age 15-49) through establishment of 150 Adult Literacy Centers in 05 UC’s of District Jhang, Punjab.
RESULT
Adult female literacy Program has benefitted 3,750 women in today in 5 Union Councils. The program has enabled these women to read newspaper, utility bills, write letters and supervise the homework of their children studying at initial stage of schooling.
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