This was said by Minister for Education, Employment and Human Resources Macsuzy Mondon on the occasion of the 43rd International Literacy Day, celebrated under the theme Literacy and women’s empowerment.

A gathering held on Wednesday at the International Conference Centre to mark the day was also attended by Designated Minister Vincent Meriton, leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Wavel Ramkalawan and principal secretary for education Merida Delcy.

Mrs Mondon said the literacy rate can be used to measure a country’s level of development, and in many under-developed countries literacy is still a vision, if not a dream.

“According to the last census in 2002, the local literacy rate had reached 91%, and we are expecting that this year’s census will show an increase demonstrating that we are progressing and are close to our target of reaching a 100% literacy rate by the year 2012,” she said.

She added that the government has always believed that a literate population is key to a country’s progress, which is why it has invested in many resources that have led to great successes during these 32 years.

The event also served to award certificates to people who took exams last year in French, English, mathematics and Creole from levels one to three. There were also certificates of appreciation for five people who have been taking classes for the past five years but have not yet taken their exams.
 
Mature students from 12 literacy centres on Mahe, Praslin and La Digue who took exams last year were rewarded with certificates for English, French, maths and Creole.

This year’s message from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation director-general Irina Bokova was read out by the secretary of the Unesco commission in Seychelles, Marie-Reine Hoareau.

The ultimate prize of the Minister’s Cup was up for grabs and was won by the St Louis literacy centre, which best met the set criteria. These included commitment and devotion to the centre during the year, maintaining or increasing its number of students, regular attendance, and showing the most initiative.

Other awards were also given out, such as for best centre in each subject, as well as certificates and trophies to retiring instructors – Gilette Lespoir, Theoline Pool and Therese Gabriel – who received their prizes from Mrs Mondon.
 
Catherine Dufrene, a literacy student, gave a testimony about how the classes have benefited her in many ways; apart from teaching her a new language, they have helped her get a work promotion.

And an appeal was launched to those who have not yet made the move to improve their education to join the Adult Learning and Distance Education Centre and develop their academic abilities.