The literacy rate in the country will reach around 80 to 85 per cent by 2015. And more than 70 million adults will be empowered through education.

Addressing an international conference on Literacy in New Delhi on Saturday, Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal said that at present, the literacy rate stands at 74 per cent. Mr Sibal emphasized the need for greater use of information and communication technology to strengthen adult education programme in the country.

Calling for a complete revamp of the education system, Mr Sibal said that students and adults alike need to be constantly re-equipped with latest knowledge and information.

AIR Correspondent reports that delegates from over 14 nations deliberated on ways and means to improve women literacy and adult education during the three day conference.

The representatives from the E-9 group and SAARC countries agreed to forge regional and sub regional alliances in the areas of capacity building, assessment protocol and training and research.