The 8 of September annually was set aside by UNESCO to celebrate world literacy day.
In this special report our Correspondent from Kano conducted a research on how Government and other stakeholders were working asidiously in addressing illiteracy among Adults.
According to some scholars, literacy is the ability to read and write. It can also be defined as competence or knowledge in a specified area.
The international literacy day designated by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1967, is an annual awareness day which marks the importance of literacy in all countries and cultures. It takes place annually every 8th September.
Research indicates that over 775 million adults struggle with basic literacy. Literacy day is a brilliant way to raise awareness of the value of literacy and to encourage children and adults to develop their literacy skills.
According to a research carried out by UNESCO, data showed that as of 2015 in Nigeria, youth literacy fell from 66.1 percent to 62.1% while adult literacy rate was 59.6% and in 2018 the literacy rate stood at 62.0%.Those aged 15 years and above could read and write with clear understanding.
Nigerian government at all levels are working tirelessly to ensure that illiteracy becomes history by mapping out programs and policies aimed at uplifting the standard of education such as reviewing the country’s educational curriculum, provision of free basic education among others.
In Kano state, uplifting the standard of education has been identified as one of the cardinal objectives of the current administration, Where the state government has put modalities in place to ensure that the state competes with others globally in terms of educational standard.
Radio Nigeria spoke with the Director, Admin and General Services of the Kano State Agency for Mass Education, Alhaji Ibrahim H. Sulaiman on the current status of adult education as well as the activities of the center.
According to him, the agency has 52 centers across the 44 local government areas of the state as well as over 10,000 students currently undergoing literary and vocational training.
Alhaji Ibrahim pointed out that the agency had graduated thousands of students and has engaged in advocacy visits to villages and localities to enlighten the public about the importance of education.
“We have provision of vocational training because they are adults. Education is synonimous to the economy, we train them to be self reliant especially women. Some graduants of this agency have become professors”
“We have facilitators across the 44 local government areas where they train students free of charge despite the economic situation”
The Director of the agency urged the general public to come out and learn irrespective of their age to live a successful life as education is the backbone of every society.
The 55th world literary day 2021 is themed: Literacy for a human centered recovery: Narrowing the digital divide.
KHADIJAH ALIYU