وقد سبقت صدور القانون المذكور جهود عديدة للقضاء على محو الأمية، ونجحت هذه الجهود في تخفيض نسبة الأمية إلى حد كبير في ذلك الوقت حيث بلغت نسبة الأمية بين النساء 50.5 في المائة والرجال 32 في المائة تقريبا، وقد كان الالتحاق بمراكز محو الأمية اختياريا يعتمد على رغبة الدارس.
The promulgation of the above Act was preceded by a number of efforts to eradicate illiteracy. These efforts were successful in largely reducing the illiteracy rate at that time, when it stood at approximately 50.5 per cent for females and 32 per cent for males. Enrolment in literacy centres had been optional and depended on the student's own wish. However, the existence of such illiteracy rates in 1981, despite all the efforts and available potential, was out of step with the aspirations and wishes of the State to keep pace with the progress being achieved in a number of areas.