LAHORE, May 22: The Unesco and a cellular company have signed an agreement on SMS-based literacy programme.

Under the agreement the programme uses short messaging service (SMS) to impart education.

It is the fourth phase of the agreement that includes two projects with the first being the continuation of the SMS-based literacy initiative for learners with an extended outreach across Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Fata and Sindh.

The second project extends the outreach of the programme to help enhance the capacities of participating teachers across Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion, Unesco Director Dr Kozue Kay Nagata said: “We have come a long way for this public-private partnership. Earlier when we started, it was only for rural women, but in its upcoming phase we are also using this innovative educational approach for the youth of Fata.”

Bilal Munir Sheikh, Mobilink chief commercial officer, said: “This initiative will help both learners and teachers and reach out to those who are cut off from the conventional educational system.”