Like the rest of the world, Arab countries are currently confronted with numerous challenges in the education sector. According to the ALECSO Observatory, the number of illiterate people, which amounted to 68.656 million in 2018, could rise to 98.609 million by the year 2030 (40.684 million males and 57.925 million females). The same source estimates that in 2024, 16.192.388 million students in general education across Arab countries will be out of school, including 6.086.687 million in primary school, 2.957.055 million in lower secondary school, and 7.148.645 million in secondary school.
Deeply aware of this critical situation in such a vital sector as education, the Arab League Educational, Cultural, and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) places great importance on marking International Literacy Day. It takes this occasion to emphasize the need to consider strategic solutions in order to improve the quality of education in the Arab world. It commends the current global efforts aimed at transforming education in such a way as to promote social and economic empowerment for all, and to build peaceful, equitable and illiteracy-free societies.
With the evolving concept of literacy in the current global context, ALECSO, through its future-oriented vision spelled out in its Action Plan 2023-2028, reaffirms its positive engagement with the digital revolution that has impacted all aspects of life. This necessitates addressing the issue of illiteracy in its broader civilizational sense that goes beyond alphabetic illiteracy to encompass digital and cultural illiteracy. Through its various projects in the fields of education, culture, science, and ICT, ALECSO underscores the need to renew literacy policies and approaches in the Arab world.
On this annual occasion, ALECSO appreciates the efforts of Arab countries in implementing their national plans and the relevant Arab and international frameworks (Arab Literacy Decade 2015-2024, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the outcomes of the Transforming Education Summit, and the Marrakesh Framework for Action). ALECSO emphasizes the need to enhance Arab efforts to further develop projects, diversify activities, and establish measures designed to promote individual and social empowerment, as part of a participatory approach that fosters the developmental efforts of Arab governments, regional and international organizations, and civil society institutions.
For ALECSO, literacy is a global, human-centered project and a fundamental pillar for achieving sustainable development and promoting social justice. One of the key lessons learned from this international event is the need to enhance collective Arab awareness of the importance of literacy as key to the social, cultural, scientific, and economic empowerment of individuals. Accordingly; ALECSO reaffirms its commitment and responsible engagement with Arab and international efforts to provide educational opportunities, enhance education quality, and build a brighter future for young Arab generations.
