Baghdad: The Minister of Education has placed literacy eradication at the forefront of a new national plan extending until 2029. Minister of Education and Chairman of the Higher Commission for Literacy, Abdul Karim Abtan al-Jubouri, chaired the Commission’s fifteenth meeting, attended by the Ministry’s Administrative Undersecretary, the Head of the Executive Authority, and representatives of relevant ministries, to discuss the National Literacy Program 2026-2029 within the government’s agenda.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, al-Jubouri listened to a detailed explanation of the program’s implementation mechanism, objectives, and the roles of ministries, supporting agencies, and governorates. He directed the formation of a committee to study the program and its implementation details.

The Ministry of Planning presented the latest statistical data on the state of illiteracy, identifying priority governorates and groups. The Minister of Education called for moving beyond outdated programs and adopting modern methods that benefit society. He urged the Directors General of Education to assume their rightful role in this matter and to coordinate directly with governors to monitor literacy programs, the back-to-school campaign, and support implementation centers.

The discussions included a draft amendment to the Literacy Law No. 23 of 2011, challenges related to specialized staffing and the administrative and financial needs of the centers, as well as the achievements of the executive branch.