International Literacy Day – 8th September 2020
Any person who owns the ability to read and write is defined as a literate. India is a developing country, yet the literacy rates aren’t too impressive. Kerala ranks first place when it comes to being the most literate state in the country.
8th September of every year is celebrated as International Literacy Day. The day is observed to spread awareness about literacy, to promote good quality education and develop skills in people that make them learned and employable in the outside world.
Providing access to these opportunities at all levels of society is a big challenge in itself. In this article, let us read more about world literacy day in terms of its history, celebration, themes, essential FAQs, amongst other information.
International Literacy Day 2020 – History
It was on 26th October 1966 that UNESCO declared the celebration of World literacy day on an international level. The world faced some of the worst problems during that era, some of them being illiteracy, poverty, unemployment, inadequate health facilities etc.
Greater focus was paid to education and removing ignorance so that people could get better access to livelihood. Literacy is that golden weapon which provides empowerment and independent thinking to individuals.
It is believed good literacy rates could promote better communities and thus help build a strong nation. The idea of World Literacy day took origin at the World Conference of ministers of education held at Tehran in 1965. For any country to march towards sustainable development, its citizens need to be educated.
Significance of International Literacy Day 2020
In a society, we are entitled to sole rights as an individual. Social and personal rights are poles apart, yet they define important attributes for a person.
Food is for growth and development of the body. Education is for the soul, promotes self-development. The mind needs to be trained in a certain way.
It is like a blank piece of paper; what we write on it makes all the difference. Education fills our mind with knowledge. Literacy provides a channel to seek education.
Literacy is offered at educational institutions – schools, colleges, universities, centres of excellence and learning centres. Literacy is gained through constant and consistent practice and interest.
Higher learning leads to higher growth as an individual. In society, individuals attain success through the platform of literacy.
International Literacy Day 2020 Themes
Different themes around World Literacy Day are becoming popular these years. They include child and adult education, sustainable literacy reforms, global literacy development, digital literacy, etc.
The day is used to create awareness in the public domain regarding the importance of education. Themes are created to evaluate the current situation of literacy across the world, measures and improvements adopted to increase literacy rate, reforms brought up to escalate adult literacy ratio, promotion of the right to education, etc.
Education needs remedies in the current situation. Global literacy rates are seeing an increase, thanks to measures by various international and local bodies.
Integration of good education practices combined with a quality approach to make them reachable to a wider population ensures literacy to a greater global population.
International Literacy Day 2020 Celebration
World Literacy Day marks the greatest hallmark events across the globe to promote literacy and spread education amongst masses. There are number of ways in which the day is celebrated across international spaces, some of them are discussed below:
Event to donate books to the needy – Children studying in schools should be taught about charity and the need to donate. On World Literacy Day, parents, teachers and students can come together to create a library of books that they have studied or no longer in use and donate to someone in great need of them.
Gifts in the form of books and vouchers – Visit charitable organizations, find out how many of them need books to study and gift it to them. In return, you’ll reap a bountiful of smiles and happy faces. Alternatively, you could also present vouchers to help children in need to purchase books at affordable/discounted prices.
The Book library – create virtual treasure house of books, journals, encyclopaedias and other educational resources for all age groups and make them accessible to all. This way, you contribute to sharing knowledge among the masses and generate interest in learning to read and write.
Sponsor education of a needy child – There are many charitable organizations that are involved in providing free education to children. You can pour in your contributions towards this great cause and help children from economically lower communities to rise to the challenges of education.
Write slogans, take part in awareness campaigns – Form an active group of members and rally around your neighbourhood explaining the importance of education. Spread the word, take part in online campaigns and support causes that cater to education.
Rural education – Undertake fellowships that boost your resume as well as provide a golden opportunity to serve rural communities. Villagers usually do not have access to good quality education. Spend time working on your fellowship to promote education in rural areas.
Conclusion
Education provides knowledge which is the most powerful asset of every human being. When we educate people, we make them independent and employable.
It empowers individuals. Promoting female literacy as much as male literacy is the need of the hour. Through education, we can build better communities and participate in nation-building activities.
Design a framework that collaborates various players. In today’s digital world, it has become imperative to understand the basic needs of education.
Individual governments should step up their measures to improve literacy rates in their respective countries and make education, affordable, accessible and approachable to all. Let us strive for education and a better world to live!
International Literacy Day 2020 – Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the importance of World Literacy Day?
World literacy day provides a platform that raises awareness about the importance of education. Education creates a pathway to our future. It helps us realize our potential and opens a more significant channel of opportunities to serve the world with different capacities.
2. What do you mean by International Literacy Day?
The international literacy Day marks the communion of several entities- government bodies, educational institutions, entrepreneurs, business markets and the society, in general, coming together for a fundamental cause. The day enlightens the need to spread literacy and arrive at solutions for various challenges posed by today’s education.
3. How do we celebrate International Literacy Day?
UNESCO declared 8th September as International literacy day and celebrations in various parts of the world take place on that day. Depending on the theme decided for the particular year, various initiatives are taken up. Award ceremonies and prize distributions for achievers in education, activities for empowerment through education, awareness and engagements on spreading literacy, etc.
4. Why is literacy so important?
The significant difference between humans and other species is our ability to read and write. Literacy helps us to create our own path for success. Literacy promotes self-development, establishes a sustainable society and thereby establishes a well-being global economy.
5. When is the World Literacy Day?
World literacy day is celebrated around the globe on 8th September. It’s an annual celebration world-wide.
6. What is the theme of International Literacy Day 2020?
The theme for the year 2020 is yet to be declared. The year 2019 focused on literacy and multilingualism.
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