Kigali — The Minister of Education, Dr. Charles Murigande, has highlighted the importance of adult literacy in the development of the country and attainment of its development plans.

Murigande, was speaking at a meeting to validate the Rwanda Adult Literacy Policy in which major players in the adult literacy program were present. "We have many development programs that can only benefit citizens who can read, which is why the government is emphasizing the need to have every Rwandan adult be able to read, write and count," said the Minister.

He said that though these programs are aired over the national radio, they become more effective if people are able to read for themselves. "If a farmer cannot count to ascertain how much he or she has invested in what they have grown, benefiting from their hard work would be by chance, because they cannot determine how much to sell their produce, basing on the investment made," Murigande explained.

This, he said, leads to people remaining underdeveloped which would not have been the case had they known how to read and write. According to the Ministry of Education, the illiteracy levels in the country presently stand at 25 percent.

According to Prof. Gamaliel Mbonimana, one of the experts who formulated the adult literacy policy, increased sensitization of the population on the necessity of literacy, and the involvement of religious institutions, are some of the strengths of the policy.

However, according to the policy, insufficiency of teaching materials, lack of motivation and proper coordination of activities are some of the shortcomings likely to affect the effectiveness of the program.