Do you know the 2023 International Literacy Day is just around the corner and will be celebrated in September this year?
The CEO of Literacy Ambassadors Ghana (LAG) in person of Mr. Mathias Tulasi, has called on schools in the country to put measures in place so as to mark the impending International Literacy Day slated for Friday, September 8, 2023, on the theme “Promoting literacy for a world in transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies”
His full statement below on the 2023 International Literacy Day
Since 1967, the festival of literacy thus the International Literacy Day celebration has taken place annually on September 8 around the globe to remind the public of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and a key human right, and also to advance the literacy agenda towards a more literate and sustainable society.
Literacy is essential to our educational opportunities. The importance of literacy in basic education across the globe cannot be overstated. Education is based on literacy, with an educated person knowing how to eradicate poverty, reduce child mortality, curb population growth, disease control, etc.
It unlocks not just the chains of slaves but also unchains our minds giving us clarity and understanding about ourselves, our community, our country, and our world.
Despite the steady progress made across the globe, literacy challenges still persist with over 700 million young people and adults lacking basic literacy skills.
This year’s celebration will be another opportunity to join efforts to accelerate progress toward the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 4 on education and lifelong learning and to reflect on the role of literacy in building more inclusive, peaceful, just, and sustainable societies.
Schools should hold classroom discussions about the power of literacy and how globally over 700 million people remain illiterate including the pupils who cannot speak, read and write in the respective schools and what they should do in order to become speakers, readers, and writers so as to reduce the number drastically in the years to come.
Together, we will shape and change the future of education across Ghana through literacy promotion.