By Kevon Browne
St Kitts and Nevis (WINN): September 8 is celebrated as International Literacy Day and the theme focuses on literacy, teaching, and learning in the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.
The theme this year is apt especially in light of the reopening of schools while still in the throes of life during a pandemic.
Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture Jonel Powell on the heels of the opening ceremony for the 2020-21 academic school year held on Monday (September 7), gave these remarks about International Literacy Day and the appropriateness of the theme.
The theme, Literacy Teaching and Learning in the COVID-19 crisis and beyond focuses on the role of educators and changing teaching practices.
September 8 was proclaimed International Literacy Day by UNESCO in 1966 to remind the international community of the importance of literacy for individuals, communities, and societies, and the need for intensified efforts towards more literate societies.
From 1967 to today, International Literacy Day is celebrated around the world and reminds the public of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights, and to advance the literacy agenda towards a more literate and sustainable society. However, according to UNESCO literacy challenges still persist with at least 773 million adults worldwide lacking basic literacy skills.
