Anita Rachman – The government is likely to fall short of its mark in efforts to reduce the illiteracy rate to 5 percent by the end of the year – and officials are blaming a lack of motivation among those who can't read and problems in reaching remote areas.

Ella Yulaelawati, the director of community education at the Ministry of National Education, said boosting literacy in the country was challenging because many of those who needed help lived in remote or isolated areas. She said it was also particularly difficult to teach people who were more than 45 years old.

"The problems are lack of motivation and physical barriers" in reaching the out-of-the-way areas, Ella said.

Hamid Muhammad, the director general of nontraditional education at the of Education Ministry, said the ministry projected that by end of this year the illiteracy rate would stand at about 5.3 percent, or around 8.3 million people.

"This number might change, as we are still waiting for official reports from each province, district and municipality that is running this program," Hamid said, adding that 76 percent of the illiterate people were 45 years or older, an age range that required a specialized teaching strategy.

For years, local organizations such as Prosperity Family Education (PKK), women's organizations at the district level, mosque councils and Christian institutions have provided intensive courses for illiterate people, particularly women.

The government is now adopting a program pioneered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization that not only tackles illiteracy, but also works "toward economic empowerment to develop the people's welfare."

"It's not only learning how to read, but includes entrepreneurship learning groups," Hamid said. "So we give them life skills first to empower them."

He said the illiteracy eradication efforts would focus on 142 districts with rates of more than 5 percent.

Unesco has set a target of increasing global literacy rates by 50 percent by 2015, but Indonesia set its sights on reducing illiteracy to 5 percent six years ahead of the Unesco schedule. Today, Indonesia plans to mark the 44th International Literacy Day with a ceremony in Cilegon, West Java.