Ms Audrey Azoulay, Director-General, United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), said that about 617 million young people have not mastered basic literacy and numeracy skills and yet they were in schools.
In a speech by the UNESCO’s director general on the occasion of 2020 International Literacy Day celebrated globally, she said in spite of continued commitment, historic literacy campaigns, national investment and the immense progress made by the majority of countries, there were still loopholes.
She said that there was need to focus on those who are on the front line- the educators.to address the problems.
“In celebrating International Literacy Day, we recall the fundamental right of everyone to develop the basic skills to read the world and write its future.
“However, despite UNESCO’s continued commitment, historic literacy campaigns, national investment and the immense progress made by the majority of countries, despite the tenacity of all those who work daily for literacy, too many children, adolescents and adults are still deprived of this right.
“Some 617 million young people have not mastered basic literacy and numeracy skills, yet many of them are in school. ”
There are a further 773 million illiterate adults, who are too often left behind.
We must therefore redouble our efforts for these 1.4 billion people.” According to her, this is more necessary as the educational crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has jeopardised the progress made in recent decades.
“To overcome its consequences and continue to move forward, we need to focus on those who are on the front line: educators.
“We have seen their dedication during this unprecedented situation, but we have also witnessed their insecurity and deprivation, since the daily work of teaching literacy, however essential it is, receives too little recognition and support.”
She emphasised the need to ensure that educators everywhere in the world were able to carry out their work under good conditions by increasing their numbers to meet needs.
She further called for better renumeration of educators, providing them with job stability and as well given them empowerment through training and support throughout their practice. ”
They must be able to benefit from proven educational methods that aim to tackle the inequalities linked to age, gender or specific vulnerabilities.
“This support must continue throughout their practice to enable them to develop and adapt in all circumstances – particularly in the face of upheavals such as school closures. ”
With two out of every three students in the world still unable to go back to school, widespread training of educators in distance education solutions is essential,” she added.
She, therefore, appealed to those involved in education to redouble their investments and mobilise all their resources to unleash the potential of each individual in the service of a shared world.
The international literacy day observed every Sept. 8, was declared by UNESCO on Oct. 26, 1966 at the 14th session of UNESCO’s general conference.
The day which was first celebrated in 1967, is to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and society at large.
