Updated 6 November 2013
It is a common known fact that education plays a major role in the success of an individual. However in many countries the gap between male and female literacy levels exists because women have been discouraged from receiving the same educational benefits as men. Women also have less of an opportunity to pursue an education due to financial constraints, and often the males of the family are educated and the females are not.
Translate this page
26 June 2025 / 29. Zil-Hajj 1446
ZCSS 2012 - 1433 Report
Updated 15 May 2013
There are currently over 7 billion people living on Earth, and the world illiteracy rate is just shy of 900 million people. The sad reality is that amongst these are many thousands Shia Ithna-Asheri children that have no hope of ever getting a chance to educate themselves or escape poverty. It is only through the provision of education that we can collectively give them the opportunity and conquer other challenges.
ZCSS (Zainabiya Child Sponsorship Scheme) is an initiative of The World Federation started by marhum Mulla Asghar and has been running for over 30 years. This sponsorship scheme supports young students in less advantaged Shia populated areas of the world in order for them to complete their education. ZCSS supports a range of students from Primary to Further Education. The scheme started with a humble few students and over the years has supported over 25,000 students, many of whom have attained reasonable success in changing their lives and their communities
The World Federation’s education objective is to empower communities with the ability to become self-sufficient. The most efficient method of reducing illiteracy is through education. We aim to enable growth and progress through this most powerful of medium. This will create a generation of skilled individuals who will work together to lift their communities out of poverty. Unlocking the potential of just one educated person has a great multiplier effect; these benefits far outweigh the monetary cost of that education.
Related News
Related News
Around the world, almost 61 million children are deprived access to basic education. In 2008, an estimate stated that 60% of these children are girls. And within developing nations, the completion rate of primary school between the two genders is greater than 10%. Almost 100 million girls worldwide who start primary school don’t finish and the numbers rise for secondary education where it is not possible for more than 200 million children. The gender gap between boys and girls rises even more within the enrollment and completion of secondary school.
“It is the men of knowledge who can truly realise God.” (35:28)
