International Literacy Day - getting our priorities right

Tomorrow is ‘International Literacy Day 2012’, and perhaps very appropriately I will be spending it at the ‘British Association for International and Comparative Education (BAICE)’ annual conference in Cambridge. I am hopeful it will be a good opportunity to share about LEAD and more generally about the importance of the mother tongue for literacy and education, and to hear about some other interesting work going on in the wider area of education. While it’s probably not my first choice of activity on what promises to be a warm weekend, I hope I’ll be able to make some useful contacts and deepen my understanding of global education issues.

Whilst people may question the impact of such ‘international days’, it does provide a good opportunity to pause, remember, and then (re)highlight the importance of literacy. As such, UNESCO answer the question of ‘Why is literacy important?’ on their website quite nicely:

“Literacy is a human right, a tool of personal empowerment and a means for social and human development. Educational opportunities depend on literacy. 

Literacy is at the heart of basic education for all, and essential for eradicating poverty, reducing child mortality, curbing population growth, achieving gender equality and ensuring sustainable development, peace and democracy. There are good reasons why literacy is at the core of Education for All (EFA). 

A good quality basic education equips pupils with literacy skills for life and further learning; literate parents are more likely to send their children to school; literate people are better able to access continuing educational opportunities; and literate societies are better geared to meet pressing development.”

I guess that is why, ultimately, I will be spending this year’s ‘International Literacy Day’ out of the sun.