Azerbaijan, Baku, Jul.8/ Trend F.Karimov/
At least 14 per cent of individuals of above six years of age in Iran are illiterate, ILNA quoted Iran's Literacy Organization director Ali Baqerzadeh as saying.
Seven per cent of the 10-49 years age group is also illiterate, he added.
The statistics however, are related to the calendar year of 1390 (March 2011-March 2012), he said, voicing concern that illiteracy has reached an alarming level in the country. This is while the fourth and the fifth national development plans (2005-2015) have emphasised uprooting illiteracy.
Baqerzadeh says he has sent two letters to the ministry of education criticising some policies regarding illiteracy. He believes that the ministry's policies will not lead to reform if they are not intended to eliminate illiteracy.
According to him, 54 per cent of illiterate people in the country have at least one child studying in school. The literacy organisation will only issue certificates for those who learn to read and write comprehensively.
The Statistical Centre of Iran has announced that 25 per cent of adults in the country hold preliminary school certificates.