“Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope.” - Kofi Annan
From learning the ever-memorable A-Ba-Ka-Da back in primary school, to tackling never-ending pages of readings in college— have you grown tired? or are you still savoring the joy and hope that it brings? Literacy opens up a wide range of opportunities, yet too many people are still left behind. It is through literacy that you are able to read this, understand, and comprehend. Literacy also equips you with the essential skills of grammar, spelling, and punctuation, which are ubiquitous in our daily lives. In our rapidly changing world, those who lack literacy may find themselves at a significant disadvantage.
As the world celebrates International Literacy Day to raise awareness and address literacy challenges within our local communities and worldwide, it serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of ensuring that every individual is literate, cultivating the transformation we desire. For several decades, education has been the driving force behind promoting literacy on a global scale, empowering and enabling us to acquire crucial knowledge and skills necessary for thriving.
In the Philippines, it is estimated that 71,796,586 individuals, constituting 96.29% of the adult population (aged 15 years and above), possess the ability to read and write, while 2,767,469 adults still grapple with illiteracy. While the majority of Filipinos are indeed literate, we must not grow complacent but rather continue our efforts to ensure that no one is left behind.
The celebration serves as a reminder of the importance of literacy in upholding dignity and human rights, as UNESCO is aimed for. Reflecting on International Literacy Day means recognizing how literacy has propelled us beyond our previous limitations. It urges us to embrace the power of knowledge and to foster lifelong learning, thus continually empowering our society.
Article by: Maria Cielo Riodil
Layout by: Bia Dilig
Comments