The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization says South Sudan still has the highest rate of illiteracy in the world.

The UNESCO representative in the Republic of South Sudan, Salah Khalid, said more than 70% of the South Sudanese population cannot read or write.

At an event to mark the International Literacy Day yesterday, Mr Khalid said this high illiteracy rate should be reduced to facilitate development.

“The high number of illiteracy which is approximately over 70% of the population is a dangerous number,” said Mr Khalid.

“This is what I can tell you, for the country that needs to be developed, needs to be built, you need literate, educated youth and we know that 70% of the population of South Sudan is young people and they have to be educated.”

The Minister of Education in Central Equatoria State, Hastin Yokwe, acknowledge that the majority of the people in the country are illiterate.

He said the International Literacy Day is an alert for South Sudan to mobilize resources locally and internally to reduce illiteracy.

“That is a reality, weather you like it or not that is where we are, and this day alerts us of this danger,” he said.

The eighth of September is celebrated annually as the International Literacy Day.