September 8 is Literacy Day

International Literacy Day 2018 will be observed on Saturday, September 8, under the theme ‘Literacy and Skills Development’.

According to a UNESCO report, this year’s focus will be on youth and adults within the lifelong-learning framework. The effective linkages between literacy and skills will also be explored.

Locally, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information is encouraging schools to engage students in creative activities on Friday, September 7, to highlight the importance of literacy in skills development.

Some of the suggested activities are the mounting of a ‘word wall’ to include jargons and pictures from vocational areas; design posters depicting the theme; and students to read aloud and to invite guests to schools to participate in reading sessions.

Meanwhile, the education regions within the Ministry will host two joint events on September 7. Regions One, Two and Six will host an event at the Pembroke Hall Primary School in Kingston from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., while Regions Three, Four and Five will host another event at the William Knibb Memorial High School in Trelawny, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The day’s events will include a plenary session, exhibition, read-aloud sessions, the reading of UNESCO’s and the Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator the Hon. Ruel Reid’s Literacy Day messages, and a concert hour.

This year marks the 52nd observation of the day, which is used to highlight the significance of literacy for international development and advancement of all human beings.