Speaking at the occasion, Minister of Education Dr. Sintayehu Hailemichael said the 3rd ESDP has attached priority to improving access to and quality of adult education throughout the country.

The strategic document just launched came about after evaluation of past performances whereby weak points had been pinpointed and remedial points recommended, he said.

The government thus commits to make adults beneficiaries of literacy programs, which is practice-based, he indicated.

Ministries of Education, Agriculture and Rural Development, Health, Women's Affairs, Youth and Social Affairs signed a memorandum of understanding to working in cooperation concerning adult education.

Implementation of the strategic document, he said, should help strengthen the ongoing democratization and good governance efforts, while serving as a vehicle to changing the lives of the grassroots for the better.

Of the total population in Ethiopia, those within the age grade described as the major productive force constitute more than 40 percent, of which 55 percent cannot read and write, he said.

---END---