المملكة: Support and technology are tools of the revolution against illiteracy

Within the framework of celebrating Arab Literacy Day under the slogan “Smart Learning for a Tomorrow Without Illiteracy,” Al-Youm shed light, through a survey, on the development of societies’ view of illiteracy, the challenges faced by previous generations, and the role of modern technology in eliminating the phenomenon.
Former teacher Jamil Bin Jumaa, 60 years old, explained that in the past, enrollment in education was a small percentage due to the lack of schools and teachers, especially in remote areas. Education was also less of a priority compared to securing a living, and even girls were often particularly deprived of educational opportunities. Because their parents fear for them or some cultures view education as an unnecessary burden, especially for children who are expected to work at an early age.

Government efforts in education

He continued: This does not prevent that there are those who learned and struggled, and their beginnings were in the kataeb, and in the beginning, education was up to the fifth grade, and after that there was the sixth grade, and the middle, secondary, and university stages, and the government’s efforts in education were experienced by everyone present on this blessed land until it reached every place today. In all parts of it.

Ben Jumaa pointed out that eradicating illiteracy in the past was viewed in a limited manner, such that if a person grows old, he misses the train of education, and the outlook has changed with the interest in education, and today some elderly people have obtained a university degree late, indicating that young people have a golden opportunity to benefit from it. Due to the educational and technological development that we are experiencing, information has become available unlike before, and in the current era, technical knowledge has become a complement to basic knowledge.

Whoever does not learn loses

Abdul-Azim Al-Mutlaq, 60 years old, said that those who did not learn in the past will find suffering, and it is a message to those who did not learn about the importance of initiative and learning, and it is also advice to young people to exert effort, diligence and diligence in seeking knowledge.

Al-Mutlaq said: In the beginning, the focus was on agriculture in particular, but now the doors have been opened thanks to the efforts of our wise government in education and learning, amid the keenness of parents for their children to go to school, and the guidance on the importance of seeking knowledge. Schools and literacy schools have become excellent, whether for the elderly or young children, and we find The elderly go to school at night, and the young go to school in the morning.

Literacy

Al-Mutlaq said that the elderly have benefited greatly from eradicating illiteracy, and some of them have reached the sixth grade in their learning, and some have continued their education, as evidenced by the fact that the elderly compete with their children by saying, “We are adults and we have learned,” as evidence of the importance of education.
Al-Mutlaq added: Technology and modern devices have played a major role in education, and also with the presence of the platform there is ease of access via mobile phone or computer, as things have become easier and the path has become short for those who want to learn with the presence of modern technologies and everything available, and it is important to take the right direction by continuing to learn and seek knowledge. Pay attention to the teacher while explaining.
Al-Mutlaq said: I advise young people not to neglect their studies, as we are making good progress and development, and this is a message to the youth, and I say that your education is correct, it is entrusted to the father and the mother, and it is in your interest.
He continued: Thanks to the efforts of our wise government, literacy schools have been provided in every region. Therefore, I advise those who have not learned to go to literacy and study, and whoever has not learned is a loser.

Education challenges

Hussein Al-Khalifa, owner of the Al-Khalifa Heritage Museum, said: Education is an important pillar for educating generations, as there were challenges at the beginning of formal education. It was called the Directorate of Knowledge before it became the Ministry of Education, and there was a large percentage of illiteracy, and now, thanks to the efforts made by our wise government, it has decreased. The percentage is high. In the 2021 statistics, illiteracy decreased to 3.7, and now we are in 2025. It is certain that it has completely ended, and it is an effort for which our wise government and the Ministry are grateful. education.

The Caliph said that among the challenges in the past were facing some families who had reservations about education, but now everyone is competing for education and seeking knowledge for their sons and daughters and urging them to do so.

Eliminate illiteracy

The Caliph added, “We emphasize the role of museums in completing this role through what is displayed to male and female students during their visit by informing them of the beginnings of education and the development witnessed by our dear Kingdom, in everything related to education, including schools, transportation, and curricula. We are in great and renewed development.”

Al-Khalifa said: I was keen in the museum to have a special corner called the Education Museum, which contains old notebooks, old tables, chairs, and everything that was previously used for education, and by visiting school students, male and female, benefit greatly by learning about the beginnings of education.

The role of technology in education

The Caliph said: My message to the youth is that it is certain that education is a very important thing and the country has not developed except through education, and the importance of keeping up with education, especially with the introduction of some languages ​​to keep pace with the modern era, and also with the introduction of technology, it is certain that everyone can learn, as education does not stop, and now you find some graduating. However, he is keen to continue education through technology, which has a strong and effective role in education.
Resident Mazen Hassan stated that he had been in the Kingdom for 30 years to work in the field of printing, advertising, and that the academic degree gave him the energy to undergo practical experiences and engage in the labor market, explaining that encouragement in science in the past was not sufficient as professions were inherited, and this was considered basic education for them. Entry into schools in the modern form began in the 1950s with the spread of universities.

A social and development problem

He continued: In the past, illiteracy was considered normal in many societies, especially in rural environments where education was a luxury limited to the affluent classes. The true importance of reading and writing was not clear to everyone, but the emphasis was on manual labor and agriculture to make a living. With the development of time and increased awareness of the importance of education, the outlook has changed radically. Today, society views illiteracy as a social and developmental problem that affects the individual and society, making literacy a primary goal of many policies and programmes.

He said that today, in light of the parents’ encouragement, children desire to study, specializations have expanded, especially in the Kingdom, and education has become acclaimed, recognized, and one of the strongest certificates in the world. Modern technology has also opened new horizons for eradicating illiteracy, especially among adults. Through educational applications, interactive programs, and video lessons, reading and writing can be learned in easy and flexible ways that suit everyone’s times and circumstances. Moreover, online education platforms have advanced and provided unlimited opportunities to access educational resources. For example, people in remote areas can use smartphones to access educational content without having to attend traditional classes.
AAA