Brasília, 1/8/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Representatives of the Education section of the Landless Rural Worker Movement (MST) report that they want to join a partnership with the government in teaching some 200,000 rural workers in land reform settlements located in 23 states to read and write.

According to the chief advisor to the minister of Education, Osvaldo Russo, the MST has "fantastic" experience in dealing with illiteracy in rural areas and are very good at mobilizing people.

The MST says that it is capable of opening 2,000 classes by March. It also wants to discuss educational policy specifically targeted for rural areas. (AB)