Today is International Literacy Day

It is a day when children all over the world come together to shine a spotlight on global literacy needs. Literacy provides an outlet for imagination to run free. It is a basic human right and the catalyst for global and social progress.

For us here in the west, education is something we often take for granted without too much conscious thought. After all it is the law that each and every child attends school. As very young children we are likely to experience a nursery school environment even before we start formal education. And we take for granted that whilst in school we will have tables and chairs in the classrooms. That the school will have a roof and that there will be a canteen where hot food will be served at lunchtime. Children in our society even have the benefit of milk and fruit at break time nourishing bodies as well as minds.

Sadly however, this is not the case for children living in far poorer countries than our own. International Literacy Day allows us to stop and consider, for just a moment those children for whom education is far from a formality. In the third world we hear of children who have to walk many, many miles in bare feet to receive the most basic of education. Without running water, or very often tables and chairs and using slate and chalk they congregate together to learn and be inspired. For these children education is a way out of poverty. It affords them hope that they can improve their lives and the lives of their families so it matters not how basic their school may be. They consider themselves amongst the lucky ones.

Yet for other children, education is just a dream. Many are forced to live and work on the streets, existing on what they can find around them. There are charities working hard to help eradicate this level of poverty. Children are being collected off the streets and if only for a short while, are fed, given a clean bed and have time spent with them teaching them the basic building blocks of literacy. It is a start.

So today, whether you are teaching or being taught, let’s celebrate International Literacy Day and raise awareness for those without access to education. For every child across the globe has the right to the opportunity to be the best that they can be. We would love to hear from you if you are doing anything special to mark International Literacy Day. Why not share your events on our Facebook page.

Originally written 8 September 2015