Literacy Movement starts activities in elementary schools – Tehran Times

Report on Iran’s National Literacy Initiative and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A collaborative initiative between Iran’s Literacy Movement Organization and the Ministry of Education has been launched to enhance literacy and life skills, directly contributing to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The program focuses on providing education beyond the formal curriculum, targeting vulnerable populations and significantly increasing the national literacy rate. This report outlines the program’s objectives, strategies, and its direct alignment with SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Program Objectives and Contribution to SDG 4 (Quality Education)

The primary goal of the literacy movement is the complete eradication of illiteracy, thereby promoting educational justice and cultural independence. This mission is in direct support of SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

• Alignment with Target 4.6 (Youth and Adult Literacy): The initiative’s core objective is to ensure that a substantial proportion of adults achieve literacy. This is evidenced by the dramatic increase in the national literacy rate from 47.5% to 97.5% over the past 45 years.
• Alignment with Target 4.5 (Eliminate Disparities in Education): The program actively works to eliminate educational disparities by focusing on marginalized and vulnerable groups, ensuring they have equal access to learning opportunities.

Strategic Partnerships and Implementation (SDG 17)

The success of the initiative relies on multi-stakeholder collaborations, reflecting the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The project is implemented through a robust national infrastructure.

• Key Collaborations:
  • Literacy Movement Organization
  • Ministry of Education
  • Welfare Organization
• Implementation Infrastructure:
  • Approximately 2,000 operational bases have been established in elementary schools.
  • A network of 89 active literacy centers is functioning across the country.
  • A pilot project is underway in 10 prioritized provinces to accelerate the literacy movement.

Targeting Vulnerable Groups for Inclusive Education (SDG 5 & SDG 10)

A significant emphasis of the program is on reaching vulnerable segments of the population, which directly addresses the goals of reducing inequality and promoting gender equality.

• SDG 5 (Gender Equality): A specific project, in partnership with the Welfare Organization, is set to educate 19,000 women heads of household who are under 50 and have low or no literacy. This targeted intervention is crucial for empowering women and advancing gender equality.
• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): By extending educational services to women heads of household and their out-of-school children, the program actively works to reduce educational and social inequalities within the nation.

Innovative Approaches and Community Engagement

To enhance reach and effectiveness, the Literacy Movement Organization has adopted innovative strategies that involve community participation, particularly from the youth.

1. Student Volunteer Program: High school students are engaged as volunteer teachers to leverage their knowledge and enthusiasm in tackling illiteracy.
2. Identification and Registration: Student volunteers identify illiterate individuals within their families and communities and register them in a dedicated system.
3. Instruction and Certification: Following confirmation, the student-led teaching commences. Learners who successfully pass a final examination are awarded a certificate of literacy.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The entire article is centered on efforts to improve education and eradicate illiteracy in Iran. It discusses the Literacy Movement Organization’s projects in elementary schools, its goal to improve “individual and social skills, and life literacy,” and the significant increase in the national literacy rate.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • The article specifically highlights a project targeting “19,000 women heads of household” who are “either illiterate or with low literacy.” This initiative directly addresses gender disparities in education and aims to empower a vulnerable group of women, which is a core component of SDG 5.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The article mentions that the collaborations aim to improve education among “vulnerable groups.” It also discusses targeting “out-of-school children” and selecting “10 prioritized provinces” for a pilot project. These actions are focused on reducing educational inequalities within the country, ensuring that marginalized populations and regions are not left behind. The stated goal of achieving “educational justice” directly aligns with this SDG.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 4 (Quality Education):
   • Target 4.5: “By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable… and children in vulnerable situations.” The project’s focus on “19,000 women heads of household” and their “out-of-school children” is a direct effort to ensure equal access for vulnerable groups and eliminate gender disparities in adult literacy.
   • Target 4.6: “By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy.” The primary goal of the Literacy Movement Organization, as stated in the article, is to “eradicating illiteracy.” The reported increase in the literacy rate from 47.5% to 97.5% is a direct measure of progress towards this target.
2. Under SDG 5 (Gender Equality):
   • Target 5.5: “Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.” While not explicitly about leadership, the project to improve literacy and “individual and social skills” for 19,000 women heads of household is a fundamental step towards their empowerment, enabling greater social and economic participation.
3. Under SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities):
   • Target 10.2: “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex… or other status.” The initiative to provide literacy education to “vulnerable groups,” “women heads of household,” and “out-of-school children” is a direct action to empower and promote their social and economic inclusion.
   • Target 10.3: “Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome…” The article mentions that “educational justice” is one of the most important goals. The targeted programs for specific populations and prioritized provinces are actions designed to reduce the inequality of educational outcomes across the country.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Literacy Rate:
   • The article explicitly states that “the literacy rate in the country has risen from 47.5 percent back to 97.5 percent now.” This is a direct quantitative indicator for SDG Target 4.6, measuring the proportion of the adult population that has achieved literacy.
2. Number of Beneficiaries from Vulnerable Groups:
   • The article mentions that “some 19,000 women heads of household will be covered by the project.” This number serves as a specific indicator for measuring progress towards SDG Target 4.5 and Target 10.2, tracking the reach of educational programs to vulnerable and marginalized women.
3. Geographical Targeting and Infrastructure:
   • The mention of “10 prioritized provinces of the country as pilots” is an indicator of a targeted strategy to address regional inequalities (SDG 10).
   • The statement that the Literacy Movement Organization has “about 2000 bases in elementary schools with 89 active centers” provides an indicator of the scale and infrastructure of the literacy program.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: tehrantimes.com