Doha: Marking the 60th International Literacy Day under the theme "Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity," global data indicates that approximately 754 million youth and adults lacked basic literacy skills, with women accounting for two-thirds of this total. In Qatar, the Ministry of Education and Higher Education is actively translating these global goals into action in alignment with Qatar National Vision 2030.
According to Qatar News Agency, Assistant Director of Schools and Students Affairs Fatima Al Obaidli highlighted Qatar's national efforts, emphasizing that the country provides equitable educational opportunities through nine evening centers distributed across the nation, alongside the Qatar Technical Evening Center. The Ministry has adopted a comprehensive literacy concept that extends beyond traditional reading and writing to incorporate digital, media, and informational skills, with a focus on emerging technologies and artificial intelligence.
Reinforcing these remarks, educational expert and advisor at the Ministry, Hussein Al Yafei, commended Qatar's progressive literacy programs for investing in education as a foundational tool for societal empowerment. He noted that literacy efforts ensure learning extends beyond basic literacy to build a capable, productive, and future-ready workforce. Al Yafei highlighted that global illiteracy is tied to complex economic and social barriers, emphasizing that modern literacy includes digital and informational literacy, critical thinking, and engagement with artificial intelligence.
Al Yafei stressed the importance of lifelong learning and the mastery of technology for a continuous learner today. He also pointed out that fostering a culture of reading is a shared responsibility across families, schools, media, and community initiatives to counteract modern distractions.
Complementing these perspectives, academic expert Dr. Ibrahim Al Karouri explained that literacy now integrates technical and civilizational shifts, making continuous learning a permanent process. To address challenges such as poverty, conflicts, and the lack of strategic planning, Dr. Al Karouri called for collaboration involving universities, community colleges, civil society organizations, and zakat institutions. He advocated for strategic plans, psychological analyses of affected populations, specialized curricula, and robust national metrics to ensure lasting success.
Ultimately, International Literacy Day serves as a vital reminder that education remains the fundamental gateway to empowerment, innovation, and sustainable prosperity.