September 6, literacy courses for local residents were formally opened in the UN Representation in Chaghcharan, capital of province of Ghowr. The courses are a section of five-part Programme for Enhancement of Literacy in Afghanistan coordinated by UNESCO. In March 2008 Government of Japan dedicated 15m USA dollars to implement the programme, about 2m of the sum - for enhancement of literacy in Ghowr, responsibility area of the Lithuanian-led PRT.
According to representatives of Japan, Programme for Enhancement of Literacy in Afghanistan will be put into practice in nine provinces and 50 regions of Afghanistan to the benefit of around 300 thousand of Afghans, 60 percent of them women. In Ghowr the province will be implemented in five regions: Chaghcharan, Dowlat Yar, Lal Sarjangal, Saghar and Tulak for around 30 thousand of youth and adults.
„I am very glad to see so many women who seek education themselves and encourage their children ", addressed the gathered women during the ceremony representative of Japan Hisako Ishizaki who works in the PRT.
Five centres for literacy to be established under the Programme for Enhancement of Literacy in Afghanistan will be in charge of its implementation in Ghowr. Instructors of literacy courses to work in five regions of Ghowr have already been prepared under the programme.
Japan has made its contribution to the Lithuanian-led Chaghcharan PRT in May 2009. Japan's main focus is enhancement of education in Ghowr and enhancement of development of remote regions. Multinational military personnel of Lithuanian-led PRT create environment for implementation and coordination of projects, ensure security of civilians, transport and escort them to trips to regions of the province where Japan has projects underway.
Since 2001 Japan has built and refurbished about 550 schools and trained around 10 000 teachers.
PIO for PRT-9 Capt. Marius Varna