Peshawar: UNESCO mobile-based literacy programme: 2500 students to be accommodated

United Nations Educational,Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) would give basic literacy skills to 2500 students in third phase of its literacy programme, designed to use mobile phone both for learning and communication. Under the programme, launched in collaboration with cell phone operator, Mobilink, their skills would be improved by communicating with teachers through SMS based interactive lessons. As a value addition, the third phase will also enable 100 participating teachers to coordinate with supervisors and report on student progress via data enabled SIMs provided by Mobilink. According to UNESCO here on Sunday, Mobile Based Literacy programme is a unique initiative that utilises mobile technology to improve literacy for female students, aged between 15 to 25 years in rural and deprived areas. The current phase also extends its outreach to learners in KP and Punjab through 100 learning centers. When contacted Country Representative UNESCO said three years back UNESCO started piloting mobile literacy project and through that small project we have expanded the use of mobile phones for more than communication, now its also an active tool of information, education and knowledge in Pakistan. The UNESCO official said through this project UNESCO has made 1500 adult female not just literate but also made them connected to the world and empowered them to a degree where they feel empowered citizens, which we count as great achievement. Another 2500 rural adult females will be made literate through this current phase. The official said this programme uses use mobiles as a tool for delivering educational materials to participating students. As part of the program, students and teachers are provided with mobile phones to improve on reading and writing skills, with two way interaction through SMS, the official said and added teachers will also be able to monitor and record progress of their students using a unique mobile software, developed by Mobilink for the programme. Mobilink official was also appreciative of the programme and said earlier phases provided great results, reaching out to 1500 female students and hoped to achieve more in third phase.