TEHRAN — The illiteracy rate, which used to be around 52 percent among the 10-to-49 age group in Iran, has now dropped to less than five percent, said Ali Baqerzadeh, director of the Literacy Movement Organization of Iran.

Those who would like to start learning will definitely receive free of charge services, the Tasnim news quoted Baqerzadeh as saying.

Besides, they will reap a 1.34 million rials (nearly $38) reward, he noted.

Those who are under 20 years old will enjoy 2.34 million rials (nearly $66) reward and the teachers will get a 15 percent pay raise, he highlighted.

Currently, he said, there are 1.35 million illiterates nationwide aging from 10 to 49, of which 220,000 are incorporated by the Literacy Movement Organization.

MQ