SWABI, Jan 8: The United Nations Childrens Fund (Unicef) has initiated a literacy programme in four districts of the NWFP. Sources say the project to be continued till year 2008 aims at achieving 80 per cent literacy rate in districts Swabi, Abbottabad, Hangu and Upper Dir.

The programme would help increase enrolment, especially of girl students, and ensure that they reach middle level.

In the NWFP, 50 per cent children drop out of schools before reaching lower secondary level. Education experts attribute the drop out rate to decline in literacy rate in the province.

The programme, the sources said, also focused on improving education standard and teaching techniques, and creating a motivational environment for learners.

Students have been divided into small groups and the number of teachers increased to emphasise individual attention to students.

The sources said 150 teachers had been appointed under the programme and 150 schools established.

With the start of the Unicef programme, the sources said, 56 closed schools had been reopened.

Establishment of the Volunteer Network Forum and their training with the parent teacher associations was also held.

Teaching material and other facilities were provided to 450 schools and a district education forum has been set up.

Under the water environment and sanitation (WES) programme, potable water was provided to 160 schools and the clean water facility was re-established in 200 schools.

Unicef has borne the expenditure of printing books and dispatching them to respective centres in the opted districts.