Literacy is not only about educating, but it is the most powerful tool to eradicate poverty and means of social and human progress.
International literacy day, celebrated each year on 8th September, was declared by “United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)” on 26th October 1966 at the 14th session of the UNESCO. It highlights the importance of literacy to individuals, communities, and societies. This year International Literacy Day will be celebrated under the theme “Literacy for a human-centered recovery: Narrowing the digital divide”. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the education of many young children and adults. Many underprivileged students have suffered at an unprecedented scale. International literacy day 2021 will scout how literacy can contribute to building a solid foundation for a human-centered recovery, with a special focus on the interplay of literacy and digital skill required by non-literate youth and adults. It will also explore what makes technology-enabled literacy learning inclusive and meaningful to leave no one behind. According to UNESCO, International literacy Day 2021 will be an opportunity to reimagine future literacy teaching, within and beyond the context of the pandemic.
Let have a look at some of the efforts taken by the government of India:
Haryana has introduced relaxation in the tuition fee charged for girl students pursuing post-graduation courses. Haryana Chief Minister announced the new rules which state that the government-aided colleges and universities will not charge tuition fees from girl students who belong to families which have an annual income of less than INR 1.80 lakhs from all sources.
The Union Education Ministry has issued guidelines for educating migrant children across the country. Under this guideline, the government will identify school-going underprivileged students whose studies were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and help them enroll in online classes and physical classes as well. The union Education ministry is also promoting the use of an online NISHTHA training module available on the DIKHSA portal to provide reading material to students.
Despite all efforts taken by the government, there are some barriers: absence of administrative data documenting developmental delays, the inadequacy of community outreach efforts to identify children at risk, lack of caregiver, power to demand services, and inadequate service quality supervision. 124 million children across the world are out of school and 250 million are not learning basic skills because of inadequate quality education. Many hurdles stand in the way of the idea of “equal society”, education actors should widen their understanding of inclusive education to include all learners, no matter their identity, background, religion, language, sexual orientation, beliefs, and attitude or ability comes at an opportune time as the world seeks to rebuild the more inclusive education system.
Education not only gives wings to fly but also takes you beyond your imagination. Learning never stops.