Rabat – (IINA) January 05, 2008 – The number of illiterates in the Arab world rose to 70 million last year from 50 million in 1970, according to the Rabat-based Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO). In a statement issued on the occasion of the Arab Day for Eradication of Illiteracy, ISESCO called for intensifying efforts to bring down the percentage of illiteracy as well as to focus on adult education in this respect.
The statement also underlined the need for paying special attention for the education of women and exerting efforts to eradicate illiteracy from among them, especially in the rural regions. ISESCO highlighted the significance of striving hard to contain the growing tendency of school dropouts in the Arab world.