LDTC CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL LITERACY DAY

 The Lesotho Distance Teaching Centre (LDTC) will celebrate the International Literacy Day at Mokoto Primary School in the Thaba-Tseka district on September 04.

In an interview, the LDTC Non-Formal Education Trainer, Mrs. Lineo Lechesa said the day is celebrated worldwide as a symbolic act that literacy matters are taken into consideration. Mrs. Lechesa stated that the celebration would be marked by the issuance of certificates to LDTC learners that have completed their third level of learning at Thaba-Tseka, which is standard seven, saying that  learners have been examined at this level since January. She noted that out of 216 learners that have sat for the examinations under the third level, 191 would be awarded certificates, stating that she regarded this  as an achievement since a majority has passed.

The Non-Formal Education trainer  further said the literacy rate is measured on the basis of two categories namely; basic literacy and functional literacy, saying basic literacy refers to the skills that enable people to be able to read and write, while functional literacy refers to the skills that help people to respond directly to their needs.

Mrs. Lechesa pointed out that statistics show that basic literacy rate for men is 58 percent, while for women is 63 percent, adding that, as far as functional literacy is concerned, men occupy 57 percent, while women occupy 58 percent. She however said the overall literacy rate in the country is 61 percent,  based on the literacy survey that was carried out in 1997, itself being the recent literacy survey that has been conducted in the country.

21 August 2003