Eritrea Hosts National Conference to Expand Adult Education Program

National Dialogue on Adult Education Expansion

Asmara, Eritrea – The Eritrean Ministry of Education, in collaboration with various partners, successfully hosted a national conference in Asmara from October 9-10, 2025. The two-day event was dedicated to strategizing and planning the further expansion of the country's adult education program, a critical initiative aimed at bolstering national development through enhanced literacy and lifelong learning opportunities.

Mr. Petros Hailemariam, representing the Minister of Education, highlighted the historical commitment to eradicating illiteracy, tracing its roots back to the armed struggle for independence by the EPLF. He emphasized the government's consistent efforts since independence to expand the program, underscoring that 'it is impossible to achieve reliable and sustainable development without eradicating illiteracy.' Mr. Hailemariam expressed optimism that the conference would provide significant input for designing a comprehensive roadmap for the program's future development.

Key Discussions and Future Directives

Participants engaged in extensive discussions covering various facets of adult education. Key topics included:

• The progress of adult education initiatives within the Ministry of Defense and educational institutions.
• An assessment of the current status of the adult education program.
• Insights derived from a 2008 study on the program's effectiveness.
• The pivotal role of the Ministry of Education's mass media in supporting these efforts.
• Strategies for the implementation of extension education programs.

Mr. Gebrezgi Dmam, Director General of Adult Education and Media at the Ministry of Education, outlined future commitments. He stated that concerted efforts would be made to:

• Expand educational access and training, particularly in remote areas of the country.
• Enhance the national culture of reading.
• Revive the productivity and creativity of citizens.
• Further broaden the basic education program through the effective use of mass media.

Eritrea's Progress in Literacy

Eritrea has demonstrated significant progress in improving its literacy rates. According to UNESCO data for 2018, the adult literacy rate stood at approximately 76.6 percent, a notable increase from 52 percent in 2002. Youth literacy, for those aged 15-24, reached about 93.3 percent in 2018. These figures position Eritrea favorably within the region and across the continent.

The nation's educational policies, including the use of mother tongue as a medium of instruction and the establishment of 65 mobile and boarding schools for nomadic populations, have been instrumental in ensuring equitable access to education. Adult basic education and literacy enhancement programs currently enroll approximately 35,000 individuals annually, with a growing participation of female learners. The adult education program, initially launched nationwide in 2000, had benefited over 600,000 nationals within its first decade, targeting individuals aged 15 to 45 with a particular focus on women.