International Literacy Day: things you must aware of | History, Facts, and Importance

Every year on September 8, International Literacy Day (ILD) is observed to address literacy issues that exist both locally and globally. International Literacy Day is aimed to spread awareness about the importance of literacy for individuals, communities, and societies. Literacy Day focuses on intensified efforts toward more literate societies

History of International Literacy Day:

The first International Literacy Day was celebrated in 1967. This tradition has been held annually to combat worldwide issues of illiteracy. The purpose of ILD was not only limited to encountering illiteracy but also promoting illiteracy as a tool that might enable people and entire communities to flourish. This will give many individuals around the world possibilities for employment and improve their quality of life.

The idea of International Literacy Day was initially brought up during the Tehran-based World Conference of Ministers of Education on the Eradication of Illiteracy in 1965.

The issue of literacy is a key component of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals and the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. One of the objectives of Sustainable Development Goal 4 is to ensure that all young people acquire literacy and numeracy skills and that adults who do not already possess them are given the chance to do so.

Importance Of International Literacy Day:

Below are some lines that truly highlight the importance of International Literacy Day.

1. According to UNESCO "Literacy is the best remedy" which is the key to the right for all to an education.
2. The purpose of celebrating International Literacy Day is to promote literacy in general and to educate individuals about their rights to social and personal development.
3. Literacy is a key tool for achieving gender equality, population management, child mortality reduction, and poverty eradication.
4. Sustainable development is facilitated by literacy. It raises people's standards of life and gives them more power.
5. It is true that literacy improves a family's socioeconomic standing.

Facts About Literacy :

1. 617 million children and adolescents worldwide are not achieving basic competency levels in reading and mathematics,
2. at least 773 million adults and youths still struggle to read and write.
3. Roughly 12% of the world’s population is considered functionally illiterate, with only basic or below basic literacy levels in their native languages.
4. According to UNESCO, 1 in 5 children is not in school
5. The literacy rate in India is 74.04 percent overall, 82.14 percent for men, and 65.46 percent for females, respectively, according to the 2011 census. According to government statistics, Kerala leads the list with a literacy rate of 93.91 percent, closely followed by Lakshadweep (92.28 percent) and Mizoram (91.58 percent).