The International Literacy Day is also being celebrated in Pakistan on Thursday, like the other parts of the world, to focus world-wide literacy issues and needs. It is estimated that 860 million of the world's adults (nearly two-thirds of them are women) do not know how to read or write and that more than 100 million children lack access to the education.
Lessons learnt over recent decades show that meeting the goal in this regard calls not only for more effective efforts but also for renewed political will and for doing things differently at all levels.
To promote literacy on global level, the United Nations began Literacy Decade (2003-2012) two years ago. Throughout the decade, the UN agencies will set goals and take action to promote literacy and to bring education to all around the world.
In Pakistan, the picture of literacy is not much rosy. According to the 1998 census, the overall literacy ratio in the country stands at 54.81 percent. It has a yawning gender disparity with literacy ratio amongst females at paltry 32.02 percent.
According to the same census, the enrolment ratio (five-24 years) in the country is 35.98 percent (male 41.19pc, female 30.35pc). In this dismal scenario, renewed pledges are needed on the occasion of the International Literacy Day to redouble efforts to boost the literacy rate in our country.
However, it is heartening to note that this year the education department seems more resolute to observe this day in some meaningful way. In this regard Sindh Education and Literacy Department is going to celebrate International Literacy Week from September 8 to 14 at district level.
On September 8, the officers and officials of education and literacy department will take out rallies and walks. On the next day, a campaign would be initiated to meet with parents and community, while on September 9, and 10, school dramas, tableaus and seminars will be held on literacy in various parts of the province.
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