LITERACY IS A BRIDGE FROM MISERY TO HOPE
_KOFI ANNAN [Former UN secretary-general]
Once you learn how to read, you will eventually learn to fly. In this digitized and globalized world, Education takes a prominent place to communicate, navigate and work.
TO ENCOURAGE THE IMPORTANCE & NEED OF LITERACY, UNESCO DECLARED TO COMMEMORATE INTERNATIONAL LITERACY DAY ON 8th OF SEPTEMBER, EVERY YEAR.SINCE 1967, INTERNATIONAL LITERACY DAY CELEBRATIONS HAVE TAKEN PLACE ANNUALLY AROUND THE WORLD.
LITERACY IS A TOOL :
The ability to read & write is the true meaning of literacy but, it is not as simple as it sounds. Literacy is a key to empowerment and a tool to create sustainable development on three fronts [ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION]
As per the global monitoring report of UNESCO on education[2006], South Asia has the least adult literacy rate with 58.6% and, African countries like BURKINA FASO with 12.8%, NIGER with14.4%, and MALI with 19% has rock bottom literacy rates within the world
This proves that countries which are backward in the perspective of literacy[education] are also backward in terms of economic, Technological development, etc…
LITERACY IS INTERRELATED TO THE HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT OF A COUNTRY. Literacy[education]not only changes a person’s personality but also a country’s future.
A BOOK, A PEN, A CHILD & A TEACHER CAN CHANGE THE WORLD
-MALALA
How different our lives would be if we could not read or write or spell. Even imagining that is miserable. This day is also to thank those who molded us from useless metals to precious materials. It’s time to be grateful.
But, All couldn’t get a chance to be grateful, especially those who couldn’t afford it even though they deserve it. who was thrown out of schools at a young age and forced to work, who is not allowed to attend schools because of gender inequality? Finding solutions for the above questions seems tough but not impossible. Stopping the cycle of illiteracy is the one&only way to solve the problems
IMPORTANCE OF LITERACY:
Literacy plays a prominent role in transforming people into socially responsible citizens. Literacy is a way to broadmindedness, where people change the fate of others as well as the fate of the country. As great people say education gives wings to one’s self-confidence, positivity, happiness, etc…Developing oneself is the accurate intention of literacy
Being able to read and write is the utmost route to success, it is the first step towards independence [FREEDOM].on the other side people with a low literacy rate have less chance to get employed, Hence they get to find themselves in inappropriate & low paying jobs. There is no doubt that literacy is a basic tool to reach goals, grasp and utilize all the available opportunities, improve the life of an individual and the communities they surround in.
Literacy is one of the greatest gifts we can contribute to our upcoming generations, contributing & helping them to understand and increase their knowledge of the world around them. so that people become more attentive about their livelihood and they try to discover the best way to live. Literacy is an umbrella term that relates to personal growth[mental growth], economical growth, societal development and so on……To be precise, it is a direct bearing on the quality of people’s assets.
WORLD WITHOUT EDUCATION:
Nelson Mandela once said EDUCATION IS THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON WHICH CAN CHANGE THE WORLD. It is a journey from darkness to awareness, A journey to large-mindedness. Since civilizations, humankind has been developing geographically, culturally, historically, and mentally. A small desire to progress led to this astonishing development. The true intention of literacy is the training of the minds to think.
To flourish or increase a society without literacy is a daydream. A person without literacy is like a bird without wings. Because the Right to education is a fundamental right every individual has to utilize properly to establish their future. Good & Bad, Truth & lie are differentiated by Humans with the help of education.
Intelligence and character are the primary objectives that everyone tries to seek from Education. The more you educate, the more opportunities you get. The world would be in miserable places if there is no chance for education. There would be no chance for discoveries and countries would have faced a lot of problems regarding healthcare and shelter.
MEASURES TO IMPROVE LITERACY RATES:
The recent report given by the National statistical office[NSO] states that KERALA has emerged as the most literate state in the country with 96.2% and Andhra Pradesh featured at the bottom of the line with a 66.4% literacy rate.
When we take the gender literacy rate in India and compare it. The male literacy rate is at a higher place with 84.7% than the female literacy rate with 70.3%.
FEW MEASURES TO IMPROVE LITERACY RATE:
1. Introducing new schemes for school-going children, so that parents, as well as children, get attracted to come to school regularly. programs like a full-day meal, free distribution of academic books, uniform, and stationery, etc…
2. Well devised infrastructure helps young minds to go to school with their own interest. providing fundamental facilities like proper playground, digital classes, sanitation, library, and labs, etc….assist children to gain knowledge
3. EDUCATED EDUCATORS SYSTEM Should become compulsory. Well-educated teachers are also important to literate young kids. Proper teacher training is something that the education system should focus upon. Education for educators is necessary to improve the learning outcomes of children.
Literacy is a basic necessity which gives humans an ability to think. These days it is given the utmost importance. All esteemed organizations are working in the forefront to bring awareness among children & parents about the need for LITERACY [Education]. It’s our responsibility to join together and develop our nations by educating them.
LET US JOIN TOGETHER TO MAKE THE CHANGE
By Amoghavarsha Sharma, Telangana
