- Title: SYRIA: Syrian city declared illiteracy free
- Date: 15th October 2008
- Summary: WOMEN AND CHILD
- Embargoed: 30th October 2008 12:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: Education
- Reuters ID: LVA2X36OK9G84F9YRWNJZYBUO4SW
- Story Text: The Syrian city of Swedaa is declared free of illiteracy with a lavish ceremony attended by Syria's First Lady Asma al-Assad.
The Syrian city of Swedaa was officially declared free of illiteracy on Tuesday (October 14) at a ceremony attended by First Lady Asma al-Assad.
In 2003 officials and councillors of the city launched a campaign encouraging residents of all ages to take reading and writing courses organised by the governorate and the Arab Cultural Centre of the city.
The campaign has recently bore its fruit and the city has declared itself free of illiteracy.
A the ceremony on Tuesday, First Lady Asma al-Assad unveiled a statue to commemorate the occasion, with fireworks and celebrations.
Bunia Gharz al-Din, a 78 year-old woman who began a literacy course six months ago, says it was always her dream to be able to read and write, and now she finally can.
"Now I can write my name. I was like a blind person who walks in the darkness. You are considered blind if you do not know how to write. Now I have a child (grandson) who is in the first grade whom I can help to write A, B. Now I can teach him," she said.
Many difficulties faced the organisers of the courses, the most important of which was age.
Ayman Gharz al-Din, a teacher, said: "At first there was lack of interest due to the age barrier and they (students) questioned how a young man could teach them. We tried to solve this problem by showing them the benefits of education."
Swedaa is the second Syrian city after Quneitra to declare itself free of illiteracy.
Many other Syrian cities are also running similar campaigns in a bid to rid the entire country of illiteracy. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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