The Minister of Education and Training (MoET) Professor Ntoi Rapapa has announced the celebration of the International Literacy Day (ILD) which is said to be on September 26, at Likhoele, Mafeteng.

This year, ILD will be celebrated under the theme of "Promoting multilingual education: Literacy for mutual understanding and peace".

In his announcement, Prof. Rapapa said the day is celebrated to remind policy-makers, practitioners, and the public of the critical importance of literacy for creating a more literate, just, peaceful, and sustainable society.

He pointed out that Literacy is a fundamental human right for all. It opens the door to the enjoyment of other human rights, greater freedoms, and global citizenship. Literacy is a foundation for people to acquire broader knowledge, skills, values, attitudes, and behaviours to foster a culture of lasting peace.

The Minister noted that out of 10 children, only two can read and write, while others are hindered by the use of language that they do not understand hence it is important to promote the use of multiple languages.

He stated that there is a pressing need to harness the transformative potential of literacy for promoting mutual understanding, social cohesion, and peace. He added that in today’s world, in which multilingualism is a common practice for many, empowering people by adopting a first language-based, multilingual approach to literacy development and education is particularly effective for its cognitive, pedagogical, and socio-economic benefits.

The Minister has made a call to all to support the ministry in celebration of the IL in order to unpack issues related to literacy in multilingual contexts for achieving lasting peace and explore possible solutions for enhancing policies, lifelong learning systems, governance, programmes, and practices.

International Literacy Day is an international observance, celebrated each year on 8 September, UNESCO declared that on 26 October 1966 at the 14th session of UNESCO's General Conference.