Dubai Cares programme boosting literacy in Sri Lanka

A Dubai Cares project in Sri Lanka called Literacy Boost programme is helping foster change in the lives of children, teachers, and parents in the South Asian country.

Implemented in partnership with Save the Children, the programme covers 40 schools across the Killinochchi and Mulathivu districts in the northern province of Sri Lanka where the foundation is being laid for a culture that promotes knowledge-based skills.

Dubai Cares has invested approximately Dh3.4 million in the programme over the past three years, reaching over 8,500 children in some of the most underdeveloped districts of Sri Lanka.

"The programme is showing real change in the intervention areas, helping teachers, parents and children foster skills that will be helpful in the long-run,” Tareq Al Gurg, CEO of Dubai Cares, said.

"With the programme coming to the end of its pilot phase, we look forward to its continued success as the trained government authorities, teachers and local community, are now equipped and motivated to embed and sustain its activities.”

Al Gurg said Sri Lanka has an opportunity to change course and boost its productivity by ensuring that the new generation takes advantage of the opportunities for social, professional and financial development.

"The skills to read, write and count are the first step in this path, and through Dubai Cares Literacy Boost programme, we are paving the way for a sustainable future through education,” Al Gurg said.

The programme revolves around three main pillars: building the capacity of teachers, school administrators and government, assessing the current literacy levels of students, and working with the community to promote reading and language development.

Literacy has played a significant role in Dubai Cares' interventions in Sri Lanka. It has previously supported the establishment of 100 libraries and the publishing of three local language titles, of which 98,000 copies have been printed and distributed.
Source: Gulf News