Algeria counts 6 million illiterates

Algiers-Head of the Algerian Association for Literacy, Aicha Mebarki, launches in a press statement on the occasion of the International Literacy Day, September 8 of each year, a series of criticisms of state policy in the fight against illiteracy, in the light of the high figures of illiterates in Algeria which counts six million illiterates, representing 22% of the total population.

The same spokeswoman added that its association helped 126.000 citizens but did not receive any financial subsidy since 2007, depriving thousand of teachers from receiving their wages.

“After half a century of independence and self-determination, illiteracy continues in a large numbers of villages and countryside and even in big cities, and the proportion of illiterates is increasing despite billions allocated by government to combat this phenomenon. Over 6 million Algerians do not know how to write and read. They are 22% of the total population. These data indicate a real disaster which must be fought with all efforts and abilities. Our association did not receive any financial aid since 2007, which deprived hundreds of teachers from receiving their salaries for more than a year and half. It is really sad to see the lack of awareness in political parties and parliament in order to reduce the phenomenon of illiteracy. Our association helped over 126.000 subscribers, mostly elderly who came to school for learning how to read the holy Koran”.