THE Ministry of Education has embarked on an initiative to further enhance the literacy and numeracy skills of students who have just completed the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examinations.

Education Minister, Mr. Shaik Baksh made the disclosure Tuesday, at the start of one-day training programme for educators engaged in the recently begun mass literacy campaign, at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD).

He said the programme was initiated because his ministry recognised that students leaving the primary school system still lack basic literacy and numeracy skills.

They will be evaluated before and after implementation of the process, Baksh said.

The eight weeks duration, started May 2, will involve 2,529 participants from 45 primary schools in the 11 education districts, he said, noting that during the upgrading, teachers from the participating schools are expected to identify and correct the students’ major weaknesses in English and Mathematics.

Coordinator of the exercise is Assistant Chief Education Officer (ACEO) (Primary), Mr. Nashrullah Khan.

Baksh also said his ministry intends to double the number of trained teachers over the next five years, to better address the problem, through its strategic plan in which literacy is a top priority.

Teacher training by distance education, as well as supervision of schools, will intensify, he indicated.