Minister of Education Dr. Azmi Mahafzah on Monday issued a message on the occasion of International Literacy Day, marked annually on September 8.
اضافة اعلان
Mahafzah stressed that Jordan recognized early on that illiteracy poses a major challenge to achieving sustainable development, noting that the Ministry took the initiative to establish literacy and adult education centers across the Kingdom and has been keen to provide a suitable learning environment and free support for learners.
He emphasized that on this occasion, the Kingdom reaffirms its firm commitment to the human right to lifelong learning and its deep belief in the importance of education as a fundamental tool for enhancing individuals’ quality of life, boosting their participation in the labor market, and improving their efficiency and productivity, thereby driving economic and social development.
Below is the full text of the message:
In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Praise be to God, Lord of the Worlds, and peace and blessings be upon our Master Muhammad and upon his family and companions,
Peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you.
On September 8 of each year, the world observes International Literacy Day, an occasion through which the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan—alongside other Arab and world nations—reaffirms its firm commitment to the human right to lifelong learning, and its deep belief in the importance of education as a key tool to enhancing individuals’ quality of life, strengthening their participation in the labor market, improving their efficiency and productivity, and contributing to advancing economic and social development.
Jordan realized early on that illiteracy represents a significant challenge to achieving sustainable development. Therefore, the Ministry of Education took the initiative to establish literacy and adult education centers across the Kingdom, while ensuring a suitable learning environment and free support for learners.
In the 2024/2025 academic year, the Ministry opened 174 centers, including 145 for females and 29 for males, with a total of 2,060 learners enrolled.
Official statistics indicate significant progress in this field: the illiteracy rate dropped from 88% in 1952 to 19.5% in 1990, and reached less than 5% by the end of 2024, according to data from the Department of Statistics.
This tangible decline is attributed to continuous national efforts and long-term strategic plans implemented by the Ministry in cooperation with relevant stakeholders.
As part of its efforts to reduce school dropouts—one of the leading causes of illiteracy—the Ministry launched the “Education and Learning for Dropouts” program, under which 205 centers were opened, enrolling around 3,888 students in the 2024/2025 academic year, with the aim of enabling them to continue their education and actively contribute to their communities.
Looking ahead, the Ministry seeks to broaden the concept of literacy to encompass cultural, technological, and vocational aspects through specialized educational and training programs that equip learners with life and work skills, and foster critical and creative thinking. This will enhance their opportunities for integration into the labor market and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
On this occasion, the Ministry of Education extends its greetings and appreciation to all learners enrolled in literacy programs and beyond, who have chosen the path of knowledge with determination and a will to develop themselves and serve their communities. The Ministry also expresses its sincere gratitude to international and regional organizations that support Jordan’s journey in education and the fight against illiteracy.
The Ministry renews its call to all those who have not had the opportunity to enroll in formal education to benefit from the available educational programs—whether through literacy and adult education centers, dropout education programs, remedial education, or home and evening studies—affirming that education in Jordan is a guaranteed right for all. This is a continuation of the Royal Vision of His Majesty King Abdullah II, who places human development at the forefront of the state’s priorities, as the cornerstone for building a prosperous future in the knowledge era.
May Jordan, with the awareness and determination of its people, remain a model of progress and contribution under the ever-rising Hashemite banner.
Peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you.
—(Petra)
