US pledges $22 mln to boost literacy in Afghanistan

Kabul, October 2, 2006 (Asia Pulse) - The United States will provide US$22 million to help implement literacy projects in Afghanistan over next five years.

Addressing a news conference here in Kabul Education Minister Muhammad Hanif Atmar said the aid was provided by the people of United States to Afghans. The amount of money was pledged during the ten day president Hamid Karzai visit to United States, Atmar termed it a great achievement in the literacy field.

"This is the first time this huge amount was allocated for literacy." the minister said.

"We hope to change the mosques, schools and governmental organs as literacy training centers and we will spend this money on these projects."

There were 11 million illiterate people throughout the country, he said.

(Pajhwok Afghan News)