- By Prerna Targhotra
- Fri, 08 Sep 2023 09:14 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
International Literacy Day 2023: On September 8, people from all around the globe are celebrating the global event of International Literacy Day, and the aim of celebrating this day is to spread awareness about the importance of literacy. It is one of the main aspects of a country's economy and an individual’s life at a personal level. It is the basic ability of an individual to read and write to express or understand ideas, thoughts and feelings.
For the census 2011, a person aged seven and above, who can both read and write with understanding in any language, is treated as literate. A person, who can only read but cannot write, is not literate. In the censuses before 1991, children below five years of age were necessarily treated as illiterates. According to the reports of the National Survey of India, the Literacy rate of India was recorded at 73% in 2011 and 77.7% in 2022. The literacy rates are low in India because of factors such as high population, poverty and poor health conditions.
International Literacy Day 2023: History
The history of World Literacy Day dates back to the year 1996. On October 26, 1996, the United Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared September 8 as International Literacy Day at the 14th UNESCO General Conference. It was first celebrated in 1967.
International Literacy Day 2023: Significance
Literacy is a powerful tool that empowers, liberates, and is an essential part of our ‘Right to Education’ right. UNESCO works through its global network, field offices and institutes and with its member states and partners to advance literacy in the framework of lifelong learning, and address the literacy target 4.6 in SDG4 and the Education 2030 Framework for Action. Its Strategy for Youth and Adult Literacy (2020-2025) pays special attention to the member countries of the Global Alliance for Literacy which targets 20 countries with an adult literacy rate below 50 per cent and the E9 countries, of which 17 are in Africa.
International Literacy Day 2023: Theme
The theme for International Literacy Day 2023 is 'Promoting literacy for a world in transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies'.