Adult Literacy

National Literacy Initiative - NCHD

Background

The current literacy rate of Pakistan is 62.3%, meaning an estimated 60 million people remain illiterate. The Government has therefore prioritized literacy enhancement as a national goal. The Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training has integrated literacy into national education priorities.

The National Commission for Human Development (NCHD), an autonomous body under the Ministry, has been at the forefront of adult literacy and community development for over 17 years, focusing on literacy, universal education, primary health, and poverty alleviation through community participation.

“NCHD is leading Pakistan’s efforts toward a Literate, Skilled, and Empowered society.”

Achievements in Adult Literacy

170,190+

Adult Literacy Centers

3.98 Million

Adults Literate (mostly women)

170,000+

Teachers & Supervisors Trained
  • Established the National Literacy Resource Center in Islamabad and developed over 100 booklets and primers on literacy and income-generating skills.
  • Introduced special literacy programs for prisoners, workplaces, and nomadic communities.
  • Implemented innovative projects, mobile-based literacy, community learning centers, and literacy in jails.
  • Received the UNESCO International Literacy Award (2006) for outstanding contribution to literacy in Pakistan.
  • Prepared the National Plan of Action for Literacy and NFBE in collaboration with provinces.
  • Established Pakistan’s first National Training Institute for Literacy and Non-Formal Education.

Ongoing Projects / Activities

Establishment of 30 Functional Literacy Centers in GB and Chitral

In partnership with Aga Khan Rural Support Program, NCHD established 30 centers for women in the mountain communities of Chitral, Hunza, and Ghizer, benefiting around 650 women.

Development of ICT-Based Training Videos

Six ICT-based training modules have been developed to enhance teacher and manager capacity in literacy and NFBE, funded under the UNESCO Participation Program.

Literacy Centers for Prisoners

Literacy centers have been successfully launched in Sargodha jails, with ongoing work in Mansehra and Abbottabad.

Community Learning Centers (CLCs)

NCHD helped establish 50 CLCs in 45 districts to provide lifelong learning opportunities and skills training for community members.

New Initiatives to Promote Literacy

Collection of Data and Information

  • Compiled district and union council–wise data on illiterates.
  • Identified potential localities requiring immediate literacy interventions.
  • Prepared District Literacy Profiles for evidence-based planning.

Establishment of 2000 Literacy Centers

Through a public-private partnership with PHDF, NCHD launched 2000 adult literacy centers across 38 districts to educate 150,000 adults nationwide.

Progress Update

Community mobilization and training of 2,200 teachers and supervisors completed; 1,930 centers are operational, with 70 deferred due to weather constraints in northern areas.

Submission of Project PC-1s

  1. Literate Pakistan for Sustained Development: Establishment of 36,900 literacy centers in 129 districts.
  2. Prisoners' Literacy Program: Coverage of 99 jails nationwide.
  3. Promoting Literacy through ICT and Mobile Phones
  4. Literacy and Skill Development for Poverty Alleviation: Establishment of 400 Community Learning Centers.

Detailed presentations on the first two PC-1s have been made to the Ministry, and implementation is expected following final approvals. The “Literate Pakistan for Sustained Development” project aims to educate 811,800 adults in three years, while the Prisoners’ Literacy Program targets over 60% of the illiterate prison population.