International Literacy Day 2021: History, significance, and all you need to know

International Literacy Day is celebrated every year on the 8th of September to mobilize and spread awareness about the benefits of being able to read and write, acquire knowledge and skills from educational institutions, and work hard to earn a living.

So, to understand the importance of this day, first and foremost we must take a moment to thank our parents, teachers, and mentors to make us capable enough to read and to write.

After the first four basic necessity of life which is food to eat, water to drink, clothes to wear and shelter to live in, education comes in as a priority that every human living on the planet shall receive.

Knowing this fact we shall understand that why being literate is important and why is this day celebrated so in order we shall first know …

What is Literacy?

Literacy like any other word has various meanings and those are often substituted for one another, but it is well said that “literacy is not just about educating, it is a unique and powerful tool to eradicate poverty and a strong means for social and human progress”

Literacy in its most simple form is defined as the ability to read and write, a literate person is the one who fulfills this criterion. It is the cornerstone of education

How lack of literacy leads to poverty and other social problems?

Although not every person without education indeed leads to extreme poverty we know an educated person is far more capable of saving themselves from poverty than the one who is not.

This continues to runs like a circle as the person who is facing poverty is usually incapable of even attaining basic education, this leads to unemployment which is often followed by hunger, lack of medical facilities which leads to lower life expectancy, the people who are uneducated often opt for illegal sources like theft, robbery, smuggling, etc.

Why do we need a higher literacy rate?

Now to understand the need for a rate of education (literacy) we must look at the ratio of the rate of literacy with the quality of life of people as the places with people having higher literacy rates have better living conditions, great facilities, and a good life expectancy not only that, but literacy also inculcates values and ethics which leads to harmony, tolerance, and peace which is much required in the world, looking at the current scenario. Thus we are not wrong to even assume that higher literacy rates mean a good quality of life which will lead to a much more compassionate world thus a better place to live in.

International Literacy Day:

International Literacy Day is an international observance celebrated on 8^th September which was

declared by UNESCO on 26^th October 1996 at the 14^th session of UNESCO’s General Conference. 

The celebration in its true motive is conducted to remained the public of the importance of getting

Educated as a human right and being literate as a matter of dignity thus to advance the education

system all over the world, This day is celebrated every year  to highlight the need for intensified

efforts for education and making the societies literate.

History of World Literacy Day:

1967, International Literacy Day has been celebrated annually all over the world, the day is celebrated to remember the value of literacy and inspiring more and more people to be literate or get themselves educated.

It from earlier times is making people understand that literacy is not only a part of education but is also a matter of dignity and infect a basic human right.

Present literacy day:

We know very well that the global pandemic of Covid-19 has heavily disrupted the previously growing rate of literacy and not only that, but it has also forced many children to quit their schools early and help their parents in work to earn at least two square meals a day, it has magnified the previously existing inequalities of the society may it be related to access to resources and a fixed source of income. 

Yet in this global crisis, many attempts are made to make learning easier and convenient, during the times when we had to practice physical distancing with one another, online methods of learning became a common practice, this is not a good means of education as it even limits the more practical approach and also because not everyone has access to advanced devices or even internet connection.

But when many daily wage workers were forced to starve due to shutdowns and losses in factories and firms the need for quality education was far more visible than ever before, literacy has always been an integral part of education and with the newly introduced technology, it is easier and more approachable to everyone.

Each year International Literacy Day is celebrated with a specific theme, in 2021 it is themed as “Literacy for a human-centered recovery: Narrowing the digital divide”, Which is aimed to explore that how literacy can build solid human entered recovery which will include a special focus on the role of digital skills in the lives of literate and illiterate youth; it will also aim towards reimagining the future of learning and teaching.

Future of Education and Literacy:

Although we know that the future is uncertain but we still plan for things then why not think for the very basic thing of literacy for better health, better employment opportunities, and a better life.

As we are moving forward we know that technological advancement is taking place at a rapid rate even in the field of education, smart classes and 24-hour learning are not an alien concept anymore, but to those who are not able to even attend basic education.

Past years have shown a rapid increase in investment in education as every government is aware of its benefits, thus we can be assured that one day in the future we will be free from poverty by the means of education.

India’s commitment and efforts to literacy:

As we know that after decolonization, India was almost completely drained out of all the resources and only a few percentages of the rich had access to them, which in result divided different sections of the society based on their annual income, while some have a fixed source of income there are others work on an everyday basis to earn their food, most of those are site laborers who live on the sites and get paid on an everyday basis, they have families and their children rarely attend schools thus this cycle of poverty runs from one generation to another.

The government of India has laid out certain laws to help these daily wage laborers and marginalized workers, a certain BPL (Below poverty line)  section is introduced to aid them by subsidizing the basic item food.

After the basic necessity is fulfilled Indian government has made education almost free to such category of students in public schools and colleges, several laws such as Right to education(RTE) which claims that everyone has the right to educate themselves and police complaints can be filed against anyone who restricts the individual for the same and the 11^thFundamental duty which states that “every citizen who is a parent or guardian shall provide opportunities for education for their ward between the age of six and fourteen years. Mid-day meal programs were introduced In government schools to attract children in the name of the food and gain quality. Several NGO’s and other foundations are spreading awareness to fight this evil of illiteracy and poverty

Thus we can say that India with its citizens is all set to remove this cycle of poverty through the spread of literacy and education, even if this is a struggle or movement to remove illiteracy from this society, still, with the ongoing process, we can say that India will be free of illiteracy and poverty soon enough.

Conclusion:

To think of, it is a duty of all the citizens of our respective countries and even as the members community that live in, to promote people for gaining education, you can financially provide help to the NGO’s or even do voluntary services with such organizations.

The world literacy day this year is focussing on carrying forward the education with technology so we shall even pledge to educate at least one child and thus take a step towards saving this world from poverty.  

Thus we can say that world literacy day is a great way of making period aware of literacy, education, and its benefits.