UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

09/20/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/20/2024 08:24

UNESCO Supports Ministry of Education to Advance Multilingual Literacy

The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, Government of India, in collaboration with UNESCO commemorated the International Literacy Day on 8 September 2024 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, with a focus on "Promoting Literacy through Multilingualism."

"Making someone literate is a service to humanity, and UNESCO is doing a great job in helping people discover themselves. When you help a person self-discover, you give them the ultimate potency. It enables people to help themselves. It is a supreme facet of handholding," stated Mr. Jagdeep Dhankar, the 14th and current Vice President of India, emphasizing the transformative power of literacy.

UNESCO New Delhi

Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary of DoSEL, in his welcome address praised India's linguistic diversity and reaffirmed the country's commitment to achieving 100% literacy."ULLAS initiative is not only enhancing literacy but also igniting hope, empowering individuals, and shaping a bright future for India" he added.

Mr. Jian Xi Teng, Programme Specialist for Education at UNESCO, read out the message by Ms. Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, "Children learn to read and write best in their mother tongue. The benefits of multilingual education are well documented and evidenced by research. When children are offered education in their household language, more of them attend school, girls from rural areas stay in education longer, and all children acquire better thinking skills."

UNESCO New Delhi

A key highlight of the event was the launch of a new Direct-to-Home (DTH) channel under the ULLAS (Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karayakram) initiative, designed to provide accessible educational content to a wider audience, including remote and rural areas. The event also showcased a short film highlighting innovative approaches to engaging learners and making education more accessible.

Volunteer teachers and beneficiaries from the ULLAS program shared their personal stories of how literacy transformed their lives and highlighted the importance of community involvement in literacy programmes.

UNESCO New Delhi

In the lead-up to International Literacy Day, a conference titled "Spectrum of Literacy" was also held on September 7 at NCERT, New Delhi. Experts, educators, government officials and policymakers identified key challenges and explored strategies to strengthen normative frameworks, policies, governance, and practices for stronger lifelong learning programs for neo-literate youth and adults. The event also highlighted the Understanding Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS) program, a key initiative under India's Department of School Education and Literacy, aimed at promoting inclusive literacy and lifelong learning through community engagement and digital education.

Despite global progress, literacy challenges remain significant. In 2022, it was reported that over 750 million adults lacked basic literacy skills, while around 250 million children aged 6-18 were out of school. Among these challenges, the lack of learning materials in native languages significantly limits students' ability to comprehend and engage with content effectively.

In India, a linguistically diverse nation, the push for multilingual literacy is critical. Education in multiple languages can build bridges across communities, reduce inequalities, and foster respect for cultural diversity. UNESCO's global advocacy for multilingualism has encouraged member states to adopt policies that support mother-tongue education, foster inclusive learning environments, and enhance literacy rates, particularly among marginalized communities, thereby promoting equal learning opportunities worldwide.

Celebrated worldwide on 8 September every year, International Literacy Daywas established by UNESCO on October 26, 1966, to highlight the importance of literacy as a human right and a foundation for personal empowerment. This mission remains just as vital, 58 years later.