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The Programme for Enhancement of Literacy in Afghanistan (ELA)

The Ministry of Education of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
The Embassy of Sweden in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

KABUL, 8th December, 2013

The Government of Sweden today announced an agreement to extend their long term contribution to education in Afghanistan through the provision of US$9.3 million (about 500 million AFN) to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for the Programme for Enhancement of Literacy in Afghanistan ELA

The announcement was made as part of the National Literacy Conference held at the Serena Hotel. The Conference was arranged by the Deputy Ministry for Literacy of the Ministry of Education and aimed to bring together the organisations and institutions working on literacy across Afghanistan

Implemented by the Deputy Ministry for Literacy with technical assistance from UNESCO, ELA seeks to further strengthen the provision of literacy in Afghanistan with an emphasis on the embedding of literacy within skills training

ELA is a national, multi-donor funded Programme which has, since its inception in 2008 increased the literacy levels of over 600,000 learners, more than 60% of whom are women. Through the support of the Government of Sweden, and in combination with the contribution of US$20 million to the Programme from the Government of Japan, ELA will be able to expand its activities to 27 provinces, providing courses in basic literacy, numeracy, and skills to a further 580,000 adult learners

This will substantially contribute to achieving the targets of the Government to increase the level of adult literacy from the current figure of 36% to 60% by 2020

The ELA Programme places literacy as a cornerstone of peace and development in Afghanistan. More than simply an education priority, the Programme sees literacy as an investment – in individuals, in communities, societies, and in the future – the reduction of literacy inequality as a foundation of a modern, secure and prosperous Afghanistan. Literacy is a powerful force for transformation and can have immense impact on combating poverty, improving health, advancing gender equality, and promoting democratic participation

The Swedish contribution to ELA was jointly announced by The Minister of Education, Farooq Wardak, and the Ambassador of Sweden, Peter Semneby. Ms. Yukiko Matsuyoshi, Chief of Education at UNESCO Kabul, thanked the Government of Sweden for its support to ELA, and the Ministry of Education for their valued partnership throughout the programme