Regents awarded for illiteracy eradication

KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: Buton Regent Syafie Kahar and Muna Regent Ridwan of Southeast Sulawesi have received international awards for their meritorious struggle to eradicate illiteracy in their regions.

Chief Rahimin Kantjong of the local Southeast Sulawesi education office said on Thursday that the two regents were awarded for their dedication to reducing illiteracy. Both had included an illiteracy eradication program in their regency budgets, a condition required to obtain the awards, he explained further.

"They have contributed much to eradicate illiteracy through the development of informal educational programs during their tenures," he said.

The awards were presented by President Megawati Soekarnoputri last week.

Southeast Sulawesi has 59,839 illiterate people aged between ten and 44 years. The highest illiteracy rate is in Buton regency and Baubau mayoralty with a total of almost 40,000 illiterates. --Antara