International Literacy Day 2022

September 8, 2022 1:06 pm

It is International Literacy Day!

GESS joins the rest of the world to commemorate this day under the theme, ‘Transforming Literacy Learning Spaces’.

Since 1967, 8th September has been celebrated as International Literacy Day, aiming to highlight the importance of reading, and writing to individuals, communities, and societies across the globe.

South Sudan has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world (South Sudan Literacy Rate 2008-2022 | MacroTrends). The country faces many challenges to improve literacy, including a shortage of qualified teachers. Mr Bidali, a Head Teacher in Juba believes that there is so much that needs to be done to improve literacy across the country. “I believe the best that can be done is to ensure that trained teachers are the ones who are employed to teach children from a young age because that is where the foundation is set for them. If they miss having a good foundation, it will affect their ability to read and write as they progress”.

Bidali adds that learning can best be achieved if the children are comfortable, and the environment is conducive to learning. “Schools can do better to ensure that children can learn how to read and write and achieve their purpose of being in school. Schools should be able to provide reading spaces like a library and also provide textbooks”.

GESS calls upon parents and all stakeholders to ensure children are allowed to enrol in school, at an early age and for those who have dropped out to re-enrol.

On International Literacy Day, we encourage all stakeholders to ensure that learners can access literacy learning spaces.

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