From Edwin Olofu, Kano
Kano state government has launched its Second Cycle of Mass Literacy Campaign Programme, with the aim to achieve 90 percent literacy level in the state by 2015.
Speaking during the flag-off of the literacy campaign held at Kano Government House, the state governor, Rabi’u Kwankwaso noted that during the first circle, his administration “set a target to reawaken the zeal for mass literacy activities in the state, thereby raising the adult literacy rate from 74.1 percent in any language to 90 percent by 2015”.
To meet this target, he stated that the government purchased 11 saloon cars and 50 motorcycles at the cost of N16. 6 million, for the enhancement and monitoring of literacy classes in all parts of the state.
He said N49. 6 million was released to the state agency for Mass Education for various capacity building programmes, public enlightenment activities and monitoring, while about N303 million would be expended on payment of facilitators and supervisors allowances as well as purchase of instructional materials.
In his remarks, the state Commissioner of Education, Alhaji Tajuddeen Gambo disclosed that the on-going mass literacy campaign has earned the recognition of the UNESCO once again, as manifested in the role assigned the state to champion the course of re-vitalisation of Adult and Youth Literacy Program in the 19 northern states.
