Province set to roll out adult literacy programme in LLGs

AN adult literacy programme is set to be rolled out in the Inland Baining and Lassul Baining local level governments (LLG) in Gazelle district, East New Britain.
Gazelle MP Jelta Wong said every citizen in the district needed to know how to read and write.
“The Gazelle District Development Authority (DDA) is providing funding to improve literacy levels because it recognises the provision of adult literacy programmes as a strategy for sustainable development,” he said.
In partnership with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency Papua New Guinea (ADRAPNG), Wong’s office has established an adult literacy programme to improve literacy for Gazelle’s unemployed youth, men and women.
The DDA board recently approved K176,560 funding for the programme.
“Increased literacy levels will provide increased understanding of the causes and impacts of social, health, educational, financial and environmental issues within communities that enable individuals to advocate for positive change,” Wong said.
He said under the programme, the agency in partnership with the district planned to launch 27 adult literacy schools in the Inland Baining and Lassul Baining LLGs.
According to statistics, the adult literacy rate of PNG increased from 57.3 per cent in 2000 to 63.4 per cent in 2015 growing at an average annual rate of 5.28 per cent but it remains below the literacy rate of 1995 at 72.2 per cent.
About 54 trained teachers will deliver ADRAPNG adult literacy programme targeting 540 adults to equip them with basic reading and writing skills in Tok Pisin and understanding simple mathematics concepts, aware of social inclusion topics that impact them and understand Christian values, increased knowledge of social topics on health, finances, the environment and families.