Today, H.E. Minister of Education Hanif Atmar, USAID Acting Mission Director Peter Argo, and Binod Shrestha from UN-HABITAT signed an agreement to strengthen the Ministry’s National Literacy Program through a $40 million, USAID-funded literacy and business skills training program that will help  312, 000 Afghans take the first steps out of poverty.

“Today is an important day for thousands of Afghans who have been denied opportunities to participate in the education system and contribute to the economic growth of Afghanistan,” said Mr. Argo.

Afghanistan has one of the highest illiteracy rates in the world. More than 11 million Afghans over the age of 15 cannot read or write. In rural areas, where three-fourths of all Afghans live, 90% of the women and over 60% of the men are illiterate.  Most rural Afghans live at or below a subsistence level, with limited vocational skills and almost no accumulated assets or resources to enable them take the first steps out of poverty.

The Ministry of Education aims to address both widespread illiteracy and lack of job skills through this 5-year program, which will reach 312,000 adults and older youth in 3,120 rural and urban areas in 20 provinces.  The program will teach literacy, numeracy, and business skills that will help participants start small enterprises such as poultry farming, carpentry, or beekeeping.  Additionally, the program will integrate community-based microfinance groups to help participants have the capital to both save money and invest their savings.

It is expected that 60% of the total program participants will be women. Provinces will be selected based on both need and the existence of functioning Community Development Councils. This program is funded by the Ministry of Education, USAID, and the World Bank and will be implemented by UN-HABITAT.