Illiteracy rate lowered in Morocco

The illiteracy rate in Morocco has been lowered in 1998 from 55% to 47% thanks to the sustained and combined efforts made by governmental bodies and various NGOs.

The illiteracy rate remains however higher in rural areas where it stands at 63% against 31% in cities, said Moroccan Minister of Social Development Khalid Alioua Tuesday during the signing ceremony for a partnership accord between his department and a local socio-cultural association in Marrakesh, southern Morocco.

The government is determined to lower the illiteracy rate to 25% by year 2003. This goal can be reached "if we manage to teach how to read and write to 500,000 persons per year," Alioua said.