The world celebrates World Literacy Day
November 8, every year marks the International Literacy Day in the world, COVID 19 has made this year’s event different as many countries’ education systems have been affected by the pandemic. Many are still struggling to find replaceable solutions to ensure that all get access to education despite the novel coronavirus crisis.
November 8, every year marks the International Literacy Day in the world, COVID 19 has made this year’s event different as many countries’ education systems have been affected by the pandemic. Many are still struggling to find replaceable solutions to ensure that all get access to education despite the novel coronavirus crisis.
In South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, the education system can be said to be at its infancy level, and with COVID 19, the situation is a little worse than in the past. This coupled with the perennial internal conflicts, the education system can be said to be on its knees meaning that the illiteracy level, in the country is high.
Few months after the closure of learning institutions in South Sudan, the ministry introduced online learning through radios and the State Broadcasting Television (SSBC); so far radio Miraya a national radio station is known for airing online lessons to learners.
According to sources from the Ministry of Education, lack of enough resources is however limiting this initiative as the ministry cannot afford to air such online educational programs in other radio stations throughout the country.
This year’s International Literacy Day however focuses on Literacy teaching and learning in the COVID 19 crisis and beyond, with a focus on the role of educators and changing pedagogies.
The recent COVID 19 crisis has been a stark reminder of the existing gap between policy discourse and reality; a gap that already existed in the pre-COVID 19 eras and is negatively affecting the learning of youth and adults who have no or have low literacy skills and therefore tend to face multiple disadvantages, according to UNESCO.
Every year World Literacy Day is observed on September 8 to remind people of the world the importance of literacy.
By Joseph Ernesto Chakaya, Anisa Radio
