Okaz/Saudi Gazette

RIYADH — The Ministry of Education announced 36 literacy centers for men and 32 centers for women were opened during the summer under the anti-illiteracy campaign.

The centers were opened in several areas of the Kingdom. There are 11 centers for men in Hail, 13 centers for men in Sibya and 12 centers for men in Al-Leeth. The centers have more than 1,050 male students in total. There are also 15 centers for women in Sibya with 412 students and 17 centers in Hail with 971 centers.

The anti-illiteracy campaigns are organized by several directorates cooperating together including the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Labor and Social Development and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs is responsible for providing Islamic guidance. The Ministry of Health is responsible for providing medical aid at the centers to ensure that all health and safety regulations are followed. The ministry also provides medical aid for the elderly. The Ministry of Labor and Social Development raises awareness about the importance of signing up to the social insurance.

The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture provides instructions on how to preserve the flora and fauna of our environment. The Ministry of Education is responsible for providing the curricular and extra-curricular activities at the center to ensure they are interested and motivated.

The centers teach Islamic studies, Arabic language, mathematics and life skills. Students study a total of 20 different subjects. The centers are concentrated in rural areas where the people living there do not have access to many services.

The purpose of the anti-illiteracy campaign is to have more qualified people in the Kingdom and to nurture the feeling of belonging and loyalty to the country among the people. The campaign is also collecting data about the health and social status of the people in these rural areas.