Literacy day and our duty

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(Article:By-Hikmat Yar)

To remind the public the significance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights and to advance the literacy agenda towards a more literate and
sustainable society, International Literacy Day is celebrated since 1967. Despite the rapid advancement and progress in different walks of life,
literacy challenges still carry on with at least 773 million adults globally lack basic literacy skills today while 617 million children and teenagers are not
achieving minimum proficiency levels in reading and mathematics.
International Literacy Day is celebrated to generate consciousness amongst
people about the requirement and significance of literacy and education for
every human being. Likewise Pakistan, in many parts of the world different events and programs are organized to encourage and move people to attain education and eradicate ignorance from the globe.No doubt a blind man neither can see nor enjoy the prettiness of nature. As he has no eyesight therefore, he cannot take pleasure in light and remains in
darkness.His life remains a dependent one.Likewise, an untaught person
cannot read or write. Illiteracy is a curse on him.If we look at other countries, outside Pakistan, we find that the more the
country is literate, the more the country is developed. Russia, the UK, the USA, Germany etc.are the best examples.In such a modern and advance era
Pakistan’s literacy rate is still lagging behind. According to Economic
Survey Pakistan’ literacy rate made no tangible improvement in this regard.It has only increased 2% during the last four years and presently stands at
60%. No doubt the mentioned rate significantly minimizes the chances towards attaining skills and technical knowledge for highest efficiency and better earning level. According to the Pakistan Social and Living Standards
Measurement (PSLM) Survey 2018-19, the literacy rate of the population
(10 years and above) is 60pc compared to 58pc in 2015-16. The literacy rate is higher in urban areas (74pc) than in rural areas(51pc).Province-wise analysis proposes that literacy rate in Punjab has increased while Sindh stands second.Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (excluding the merged tribal areas)
with 57pc, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (including merged areas).That’s not satisfactory.We need to do more for its improvement. As the topic concerns
with world literacy day so how to celebrate it this year? So I think it must
focus on literacy teaching and learning in the COVID-19 crisis and further than with a focus on the task of instructors and shifting pedagogies. This will facilitate in highlighting literacy learning in an enduring learning perspective
and therefore chiefly focus on the youth and adults.The recent Covid-19 crisis has been a harsh reminder of the gap existing between policy discourse and reality:a gap that already existed in the pre-Covid-19 period and is harmfully disturbing the learning of youth and adults who have no or low literacy skills and consequently liable to face multiple shortcomings.It was
observed that during Covid-19, in many countries, adult literacy
programmes were missing in the preliminary education response plans, so
the majority of adult literacy programmes that did exist were suspended with just a few courses continuing virtually, through TV and radio, or in open air spaces.In such a difficult and tough situation there raise some questions.
What is the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on youth and adult literacy
educators and teaching and learning? What are the lessons learnt? How can we effectively position youth and adult literacy learning in global and national responses and in strategies for the recovery and resilience-building
phase? By looking at these questions, International Literacy Day 2020 will offer us an chance to mirror on and talk about how innovative and effective pedagogies and teaching methodologies can be used in youth and adult
literacy programs to counter the pandemic and beyond.The Day will also provide us with an opportunity to analyze the part of educators, as well as effective policies, systems,governance and measures that can support educators and learning. What can be an individual role in the obliteration of
ignorance? We need to be deeply involved in eradicating illiteracy.For this purpose local libraries, reading clubs, are always in need of volunteers.Let us donate our precious time to make powerful young children through the power of literacy and reading.Contact your nearest library to see what opportunities available. The second thing to do in this regard is to support a charity aiming eliminate illiteracy.The World Literacy Foundation was founded to help exterminate illiteracy through the promotion of reading, writing, and the provision of learning resources and teaching materials.Why not donate to support our vital work this International Literacy Day and allow us to increase our impact around the globe. The third thing to do is to give your friends, family members or any other person a gift of literacy. Buy a book for a stranger whether a young child or elderly, inspire and empower them through a world. Hazrat Ali is related to have said that the most complete gift of God based on knowledge.That is the importance of knowledge.