The Federal Government says it will release twenty million naira for the advancement of mass literacy, adult and non-formal education within the first quarter of this year.

The Executive Secretary, National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education, Alhaji Jibrin Paiko, said this in Abuja in an interview with newsmen.

He said the money to be released for mass literacy programme would enhance advocacy to local government chairmen, governors, traditional rulers, opinion leaders and commissioners of education in all states.

Alhaji Paiko expressed optimism that the integrated Quranic programme had reduced the menace of beggars, especially in the northern parts of the country.

The Executive Secretary called on the state governments to pay the facilitators of the mass literacy and adult education programmes in their states to ensure qualitative mass literacy programme.