September 8 is celebrated across the world as the International Literacy Day to promote importance of literacy and to further the cause of a literate and sustainable society. The first-ever international literacy day was declared in the year 1966 on occasion of the 14th session of UNESCO’s general conference. Importance of literacy for individuals, communities and societies and the creation of more literate societies was set as the primary goal.
As per UNESCO, literacy challenges persist in over 770 million adults all over the world even today. More than 600 million children and adolescents do not have minimum proficiency levels in reading and writing.
This year, International Literacy Day 2020 focuses on literacy teaching and learning amidst the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond. Focus is on the role of educators and pedagogies. International Literacy Day 2020 focuses on youth and adults highlight the importance of learning as a lifelong mission. The gap between policy discourse and reality was brought to notice among educators during the pandemic.
International Literacy Day 2020 organized by UNESCO digitally aims to reflect on innovative and effective pedagogies and teaching methodologies for youth and adult programmes.
Speaking about the importance of literacy and the International Literacy Day 2020, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President of India said, “Literacy plays an important role in empowering and transforming the lives of individuals and society. On International Literacy Day, let's resolve to create a self-reliant, self-confident and competent Bharat that is literate, educated and empowered.”
Minister of Education, Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal tweeted: “There can be no joy greater than reading and no friend greater than knowledge" Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi On this #InternationalLiteracyDay, we promise to work towards achieving 100% literacy by complying with the reforms within the National Education Policy 2020.”
