KARACHI, Sept 7: The Sindh Minister for Education and Literacy, Dr Hamida Khuhro, has stressed that Muslim countries should start a struggle for the promotion of education with special emphasis upon adult literacy and non-formal education.

She said this while speaking as the chief guest on the occasion of 'Literacy Awards 2003-04' at Theosophical Hall on Tuesday. At the programme, held under the auspices of the United Youth Welfare Organization, teachers, who had performed well towards the promotion of non-formal teaching, were given awards in recognition of their services.

The minister pointed out that the literacy rate especially among the female population was alarmingly low and this was a common situation among all Muslim countries. She was of the view that collective efforts were required both at the government, as well as, community level for bringing about an improvement on this very account and for allocation of more funds for the sector.

Dr Khuhro said that more efforts were required for rural areas where the education situation was almost deplorable. She called upon the people especially women to come forward and work hard for the promotion of education as well as enhancing the literacy rate.

The Additional Secretary Education, Prof Anwar Ahmed Zai, pointed out that some two of the five million children in the five to nine age group were still out of school. - APP