The government of Eritrea has been faced with many challenges whilst trying to rebuild its war-torn infrastructure. We are supporting efforts being made in the area of education by working in partnership with both the Schools Library Service of the Ministry of Education and the British Council. Through our partners we promote widespread access to information, and support local literacy and library development initiatives.
The British Council are also encouraging the establishment of community libraries in rural areas, and supporting initiatives to encourage more women to use services and to address gender issues in society. Much-needed books are distributed to nine public libraries, vocational colleges, youth centres and other key organisations working in community development. The British Council also implement a 'Computers for Libraries' project which has trained 550 librarians and distributed 600 computers since 2003.
The Schools Library Service provides training in school libraries and also ensures our donated books reach the shelves of those libraries. The Ministry of Education run a book box and reading promotion scheme for schools in remote and poor areas in Keren in the Anseba zone. Simple English books are now being circulated amongst other needy schools. The Ministry of Education has also recognised the growth of VSO teacher resource centres and prison libraries and is expanding its support to these organisations.
The books provided to us through Book Aid have helped most of our readers in improving their ability to use the English Language effectively. Because of the increase of the collection of books in all libraries, more readers are now coming to libraries at great quantity. It is not new now to see students reading while sitting on the floor of the library.
Gebrenegus Berhane, Ministry of Education
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