Illiteracy rates in Saudi Arabia down by 61%

 Illiteracy rates in Saudi Arabia have fallen by 61% during the past nine years, according to the Ministry of Education. The report said the Saudi Arabia has achieved the goal stated in the Dakar Forum, which took place in Senegal in the year 2000, in which participants had pledged to reduce the illiteracy rate by 50%.The English daily “Arab News” quoted the report as saying that the average rate of illiteracy among Saudi males during the last year stood at just under four%, while it averaged around 10% among females.Illiteracy saw a decline in the Saudi Arabia at an average of around 7%, compared to just under 18% between 2005 and 2006, the report said, adding that the target was achieved through policies pursued by the ministry to eradicate illiteracy in the country.