Last Updated on 4 September 2024 IST | International Literacy Day 2024 | The global landscape has drastically shifted, severely impacting the progress of global literacy initiatives. Post coronavirus pandemic, Estimates suggest that approximately 24 million learners will be deprived of formal education opportunities. Out of the total estimate,11 million girls and young women will lose opportunity. The target will be that no one is left behind. To achieve so, the approach will require a change. The existing learning spaces through an integrated approach will be needed. It will also require literacy learning in the perspective of lifelong learning.
International Literacy Day 2024 Highlights
- Since 1967, the community observes International Literacy Day (ILD) on September 8
- ILD aims to encourage literacy for self-respect and human rights and to improve the literacy level
- This year’s theme is “Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace.”
- (ILD) 2024 is an occasion to re-examine different methods of literacy teaching and learning
- Covid-19 affected the education of more than 90 percent of 1.6 billion students globally
- Corona crisis has exposed the unpreparedness of the system
- Need to motivate educators
- Need to reimagining efficient teaching and learning
- Enlightened Saint can fulfill the soul’s thirst of learning
What is International Literacy Day?
Since 1967,the global community has observed the International Literacy Day (ILD) on September 8. ILD aims to encourage literacy for self-respect and human rights and to improve the literacy agenda towards a higher literacy and sustainable society.
International Literacy Day is an occasion for governments, communities, and civil society to take stock and celebrate literacy. ILD also permits reflection on literacy challenges in the coming time. Literacy is a crucial piece of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
International Literacy Day (ILD) 2024 Theme
In the year 2024 the International Literacy Day will be commemorated globally under the theme, “Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace.” This year’s theme underscores the importance of multilingual education as a tool to enhance communication and foster mutual understanding among diverse cultures, ultimately contributing to global peace.
■ Also Read | International Day of Education: Know About the Real Aim of Education
Importance of International Literacy Day
International Literacy Day is a vital reminder of how crucial literacy is for both personal empowerment and the advancement of society as a whole. Here’s why International Literacy Day is significant:
- Empowering Individuals Through Literacy: International Literacy Day highlights the vital role of literacy in equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary for personal development, growth, and lifelong success.
- Drives Societal Progress: Literacy is a foundational element in promoting societal advancement, contributing to economic prosperity, reducing poverty, and enhancing social inclusion.
- Extends Beyond Basic Skills: Literacy goes beyond just the ability to read and write; it includes the capacity to comprehend and analyze information, which is vital for making informed choices and improving one’s quality of life.
- Supports Inclusive Education: International Literacy Day advocates for policies and practices that ensure everyone has access to literacy and education, regardless of their background, encouraging governments and educational institutions to take action.
- Raises Global Awareness: Celebrating this day brings global attention to the importance of literacy, motivating efforts to increase literacy rates around the world.
UNESCO’s Role in Advancing Literacy
UNESCO, the United Nations agency dedicated to education, science, and culture, spearheads global initiatives to advance literacy and lifelong learning. Through various programs, UNESCO strives to enhance literacy as a key component of sustainable development. It assists countries in boosting literacy rates and implementing effective educational policies. By spearheading International Literacy Day, UNESCO aims to unite stakeholders and the global community in the mission to achieve universal literacy.
Literacy in India
In India, with its vast and diverse population, achieving universal literacy presents unique challenges. Despite significant strides in recent years, literacy remains a critical concern. The literacy situation in India is deeply intertwined with socioeconomic issues, necessitating targeted efforts that address poverty, gender inequality, and access to quality education.
Current Literacy Rates in India: Male and Female
India’s literacy rates have improved over time, but a noticeable gender gap persists. According to the latest data, male literacy rates are higher than female rates. As of the latest data, male literacy in India stands at 82%, while female literacy lags behind at approximately 66%, highlighting the persistent gender gap that needs urgent attention.
Significance of International Literacy Day (ILD) 2024
International Literacy Day (ILD) 2024 is an occasion to re-examine different methods to literacy teaching and learning, and the vital role that educators play in boosting quality literacy programs with a particular focus on youth and adult literacy. Learning lessons from preliminary answers to the COVID-19 crisis and the wealth of knowledge gathered across the world, ILD2024 will also discover the futures of literacy teaching and learning, as well as the educators’ part in attaining the reimagined education and learning the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.
International Literacy Day 2024: Context
The world has witnessed substantial growth in literacy in the last ten-year time span. Yet worldwide, more than 770 million adults and youth did not get access to primary literacy opportunities. Even more than 600 million children and adolescents did not accomplish proficiency levels in mathematics and reading. The coronavirus outbreaks proved to raise a threat to schooling and to learning for youth and adults with low literacy skills.
How has the COVID-19 Pandemic Affected Literacy?
The Covid-19 pandemic affected the education of more than 90 percent of 1.6 billion students’ density globally. The situation worsened as in the early phase of coronavirus outbreaks, and the schools were closed in more than 190 countries affecting more than 60 million primary and secondary teachers. Many schools worldwide, privately or with the intervention of governments, have quickly implemented distance-learning systems of exceptional size, especially in formal education for children and youth.
The schools’ management was prompt to arrange various tools and facilities, including virtual lessons, dissemination of materials, and learning provision through smartphones, TV, radio, and distributing photocopied material. In limited resources, the schools conducted online classes, tests, marking, and counseling the students.
How did the Corona Crisis Expose Unpreparedness?
The Corona crisis has exposed the governments, policymakers, education departments, school management, parents, and the students for a casual approach towards poor infrastructure, education systems, and programs. Similarly, the related sector that deals with adults and youth literacy and education has affected and remains exposed. The adult literacy programs that were absent or did exist on a small level have now been suspended in the post COVID scenario in many countries.
This development implies that the young and youth with no or low literacy skills will face manifold difficulties in gaining access to survival information and remote learning prospects that darken their chances of livelihoods.
International Literacy Day 2024: Digital Divide will Impact Non-Literate Adults
International Literacy Day 2024: As we observe International Literacy Day 2024, it’s crucial to address that nearly half of the world’s population, including a significant number of non-literate adults, lack access to the Internet, exacerbating educational disparities. More than 65 percent of people in low human development countries have access to mobile phones as compared to 92 percent in middle and 110 percent in high human development countries. From the above described digital divide, it is evident that the vast number of non-literate youth and adults would face hard hit due to COVID pandemic social and economic impacts.
Main Issues to be Addressed
Following are the main issues to be addressed on Literacy Day:
Need to Motivate Educators
Educators are the backbone of promoting quality lifelong learning. The youth and adult literacy programs can become successful and lead to better learning and development outcomes provided the educators are motivated, trained adequately and consistently, guaranteed decent working conditions, satisfactorily remunerated, and provided career prospects.
Need to Reimagine Efficient Teaching And Learning
The policymakers, practitioners, and development partners have learned some important lessons, particularly in the context of formal education, such as the potential of distance learning offered by digital and other types of technologies, and the value of face-to-face interactions between educators and learners in initial COVID time. Educators have an essential responsibility to take part in understanding lessons from the COVID-19 crisis and reimagining efficient teaching and learning. The educators can play a catalytic function in creating the transformative power of literacy for people’s empowerment, social transformation, and the betterment of humanity and the planet.
Need to Look Beyond the COVID-19 Era
Apart from the COVID-19 era, let us look beyond to find a range of issues that prevented literacy teaching and learning and effectiveness of the educators. At the system level, a significant challenge is a shortage and uneven distribution of educators, especially in non-formal settings and disadvantaged areas. Another severe challenge concerns the limited capacities of some educators. For instance, in many places, a secondary level of education or an even lower level is a sufficient qualification for adult literacy educators. Some programs rely on volunteers with insufficient teaching skills.
Need to Apply Professional Approach
In addition to the above challenges, there is a need to ensure a ‘professional development continuum’ that supports literacy educators through pre-service training, in-service training, and continuous support, while ensuring coherence between these. Such a continuum can support educators in developing their identities as professionals and pursuing continued learning throughout their careers.
It can empower them to adapt more quickly to unforeseen demands and challenges as the world changes. Few other points to reconsider are the abilities and flexibility to handle distance teaching and to reassess the salary of educators and career prospects to reduce the excessive turnover of literacy educators.
ILD Should Assess Spiritual Literacy as Food for Soul
While literacy empowers individuals with livelihood skills, self-respect, and human rights, there’s another dimension to consider—spiritual literacy. The soul’s yearning for deeper knowledge and connection with the Absolute can only be fulfilled through the teachings of an enlightened saint. Only an enlightened saint can fulfill the soul’s appetite through his sermons and initiation. Individuals seeking to nourish their souls and embark on a spiritual journey should consider the teachings of Enlightened Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj, guiding them toward the Eternal Abode, Satlok.
International Literacy Day (ILD) 2024 Quotes
- “The teachers try to help students to spend their days having an aim”
- “Internet is linked to explore knowledge and an authentic way to live life rather than waiting for something to happen”
- “ILD 2024 commits to help bringing education systems to improved quality standards compatible with the post-COVID reality”
- “Like food is needed for the body, God’s Sermons needed for the soul~Saint Rampal JI”
- “Soul remains always thirsty for the Knowledge of the Virtues of God~Saint Rampal JI”
FAQ About International Literacy Day (ILD)
Ans: ILD aims to encourage literacy for self-respect and human rights and to improve the literacy agenda towards a higher literacy and sustainable society.
Ans: Since 1967,the global community has observed the International Literacy Day (ILD) on September 8.
Ans: In the year 2024 the International Literacy Day will be commemorated globally under the theme, “Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace.”
Ans: Post coronavirus pandemic, the estimation is that around 24 million learners will not have access to formal education. Out of the total estimate,11 million girls and young women will lose opportunity.
