The programme, organised by the UNESCO Sudan Office in cooperation with the Adult Education Department of Kassala State, the Sudanese National Commission for Education, Science and Culture, and the Ministry of Education and Guidance of Kassala State, aims to expand access to literacy and adult education while strengthening awareness, community participation and local development.
The launch brought together state authorities, local and community leadership, education actors and local stakeholders, reflecting broad support for expanding learning opportunities in Aroma.
Among those attending were Mr Othman Omar Othman, Minister of Education and Guidance of Kassala State, and Nazir Sayed Mohamed Al-Amin Tirik, General Chief of the Hadendowa Tribes, alongside Mr Junaid Sorosh-Wali, Head of Office and UNESCO representative to Sudan, the National Commission, government institutions, education authorities and leaders from Rural Aroma Locality.
Education reaching beyond the classroom
For communities where adults may have missed opportunities to learn earlier in life, literacy can have an impact well beyond the ability to read and write. It can strengthen people’s ability to access information, participate in their communities and pursue new social and economic opportunities.
Minister Othman Omar Othman welcomed the initiative and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening and expanding adult education in partnership with UNESCO and other stakeholders.
“Expanding literacy and adult education means opening opportunities to people who may not have had access to education before. We value UNESCO’s support and our partnership in reaching more communities across Kassala State.” Said Minister Othman
The launch also received strong support from community leadership. In his address, Nazir Sayed Mohamed Al-Amin Tirik, praised UNESCO’s efforts to support literacy and education programmes in Aroma, highlighting their importance in strengthening community capacities and opening new opportunities for learning and development.
“We greatly value UNESCO’s attention to Aroma and its support for the priorities of our communities. Strengthening literacy and education, alongside addressing essential needs such as access to drinking water, which can contribute directly to better living conditions, stability and development. We look forward to continued cooperation between UNESCO, government authorities and our local communities,” said Nazir Tirik.
He also highlighted UNESCO’s interest in contributing to improved access to drinking water in Aroma through support for the drilling of water wells, identifying water as one of the community’s priority needs and an important factor in improving living conditions and supporting local development.
