In 2021, a total of 1,005 people learned to read and write through the program “Move for Panama, Yo, Sí I can” carried out by the Ministry of Social Development (Mides), as part of its social policy that is allowing to attack the illiteracy across the country.
Progress was made in the midst of a health crisis marked by restrictive mobilization measures that did not impede the advancement of the program led by the National Literacy Directorate.
The initiative stood out for promoting gender parity by benefiting 643 women who represented 63.9% of the beneficiaries, compared to the 362 men who occupied 36% of those who successfully completed the course.
The results have been achieved through the installation of 120 classrooms, led by 96 volunteer teachers.
The literacy classes were concentrated in West Panama with 230 participants, Chiriquí with 216, Comarca Ngäbe-Buglé with 189 and Bocas del Toro with 110 (see map).
Efforts to eradicate illiteracy are visible. Since July 2019, some 2,648 people have become literate and since the program was created in June 2007, some 78,764 citizens have successfully completed the course.
“Move around Panama, I can do it”, lasts seven weeks, where students receive theoretical-practical classes. It is a basic writing program that teaches students to read and write in 65 classes. The method takes participants from the known (the numbers) to the unknown (the letters).
