PESHAWAR, July 24: More than 8,000 people in Karak district have received basic education under the National Commission for Human Development’s adult literacy programme.

This was stated by the NCHD general manager, Nasim Ejaz Khattak, at the certificate distribution ceremony here on Sunday.

The ceremony was attended by a number of teachers, former elected representatives and notables of the area. Mr Khattak said the adult literacy programme’s results were crystal clear and those who completed it were now able to read and write.

“These individuals are now playing their due role in development and are living accordingly. They have also assisted the NCHD in its mass mobilization efforts,” he added.

Within a period of two years, the NCHD has been able to raise the enrolment of children in schools from 62 per cent to 95 per cent, according to Mr Masim Khattak. Same is the case with the drop-out of children, which has been reduced to almost 1 per cent, Mr Khattak maintained.

NCHD literacy coordinator, Shahid Rauf Khattak, said the commission had developed a specially-designed course for the unlettered, enabling them to read, write and understand easy calculations.

“The Phoenix Methodology being used to teach the unlettered is very helpful. These learners are now demanding further courses,” he said.

On the occasion, a total of 28 teachers of Paloosa Sar union council were awarded certificates after their successful completion of the adult literacy centres in their area.

Mr Khattak lauded the Perfect Awareness and Development Organisation (Pado), a community social organisation, for “effective mass mobilization and quality teaching” which enabled learners to be a useful part of the community. “Being a core implementing partner of the NCHD, Pado has rendered tremendous services in educating the unlettered,” he said.