With one in five adults still unable to read and write, there are around 900 million illiterates in the world and two thirds of them are women. The situation with regard to educational activities and standards in poor and developing countries, is dismal and much more is to be done to improve the situation.
These views were expressed by educational experts while talking to Business Recorder with reference to 'International Literacy Day' to be observed under the auspices of United Nations across the world including Pakistan on Wednesday, September 8 with a pledge that efforts for creation of educated society would continue.
About history of the day, they said International Literacy Day was declared in 1965 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), and was celebrated around the world each year on September 8 since then. In 1990, the United Nations General Assembly gave a boost to world literacy by proclaiming International Literacy Year.
The day provides opportunity to nations to recognise and support literacy as a key to personal development and to the socio-economic progress.
They maintained that education was the key to delivering the potential of every human being; the key to opening up a future of freedom and hope. Apart from this, education was a critical foundation for poverty alleviation and economic growth.
They further said that literacy was a broad-based issue that touches almost every aspect of people's lives. It was a key to personal development and economic opportunity, and a major factor for creating responsible citizens.
On International Literacy Day, governments, business and labour groups, non-governmental organisations, communities and individuals are encouraged to recognise the importance of literacy and to play an active role in improving the literacy skills of people.
In Pakistan, different programmes have been planned to mark the day by holding walks, special programmes and other events.