MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Billson
More than 860 million people in the world are illiterate, including one fifth of people aged over 15, and 200 million in our neighbourhood, East Asia and the Pacific, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Bruce Billson, said today on International Literacy Day.
'Basic education is the right of all people and Australia is committed to helping people in developing countries get better access to education and training,' Mr Billson said.
'Literacy is a powerful tool in the fight against poverty and investment in mass education, particularly at the primary level, is one of the most effective ways to achieve sustainable development.
'Australia is also committed to the Millennium Development Goals, which includes achieving universal primary education and we have spent more than $280 million on basic education since 1999.
'Without the ability to read and write people cannot participate fully in the community and access the benefits of a society striving to achieve its economic and social potential.
'Australia's overseas aid agency, AusAID, is increasing literacy in the Asia-Pacific region by supporting partner countries' school systems and through adult literacy programs.
'In Indonesia, AusAID programs are currently helping 2,144 schools and improving the quality and accessibility of basic education. This includes funding for the Creating Learning Communities for Children initiative which is giving more than 105,000 Indonesian children a brighter future through education.
'In Papua New Guinea, AusAID is providing nearly $40 million this year to support further educational reforms which have seen adult literacy climb to nearly 64 per cent, student enrolments increase by 55 per cent and the development of a more relevant curriculum with better-trained teachers.
'Australia has committed more than $1.3 billion for education in the past five years and continues to work closely with countries in our region to improve school and adult literacy programs and give communities in need a better standard of education.
'To mark International Literacy Day, I am also pleased to launch a publication on the role of literacy in Australia's aid program,' Mr Billson said.
To access the publication, Australian aid - Approaches to literacy, please visit the AusAID website
Media inquiries:
Shane Fairlie (Mr Billson's office) 0408 680 442
AusAID (Public Affairs) 0417 680 590