Adama, 18 August 2025 — The Organisation of Southern Cooperation (OSC) took part in the First Annual Conference of the National Reading Network, organised by the Ministry of Education of Ethiopia, World Vision and other partners in the city of Adama.
Representing the Secretary-General of the OSC, Manssour Bin Mussallam, the Under-Secretary-General of the Department of Systemic and Endogenous Educational Development (SEED), Dr. Shubhangi Sharma, highlighted the importance of literacy as a cornerstone for educational growth and community empowerment. She also underlined the close link between the OSC’s mandate on Balanced and Inclusive Education and meaningful literacy development, placing particular emphasis on the central role of the mother tongue in strengthening early grade reading proficiency.
In her remarks, she congratulated the Ministry of Education and its partners on the successful establishment of the National Reading Network, which brings together a wide range of stakeholders around a common goal. She further contributed reflections on the formulation of a national reading policy framework, drawing on experiences and insights from similar initiatives undertaken in different countries of the Greater South.
Through its participation, the OSC reaffirmed its commitment to continue working alongside its Member States in strengthening educational policies and practices that guarantee the right to inclusive, equitable and transformative education.
