International Literacy Day 2021: Observed on 8th September every year, International Literacy Day was first declared by UNESCO in 1966. The day aims at creating awareness about the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights across the world.
This year the day will be celebrated under the theme, "Literacy for a human-centred recovery: Narrowing the digital divide." The theme comes keeping in mind the Covid-19 outbreak and its effect on the education system and learning opportunities. Due to the pandemic-related safety restrictions, schools faced a shutdown and teaching had to be shifted online through digital platforms.
But even after the advent of distance learning, equal access to literacy is still a distant dream. This is owing to the fact that there continues to be a digital divide with respect to Internet connections, electricity and technological infrastructure. As per UNESCO disproportionate access to learning has affected 773 million non-literate people.
In 2021, the day shall lay special focus on creating a human-centered recovery. It shall also work towards intensifying efforts towards the link between literacy and digital skills.
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