International Literacy Day

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, September 8, 2018: International Literacy Day, 2018 was celebrated today at Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) Auditorium, Imphal.

Education minister Th. Radheshyam said literacy is the foundation for advancement of a society. Without literacy no one can proceed for higher learning. Literacy holds the key to overall development of the humanity.

The celebration was organised by the department of adult education and state literacy mission authority, on the theme ‘Literacy and Skills Development’.

Radheshyam said illiteracy is the biggest obstacle to the human development and need to be overcome. He said with the observance of the International Literacy Day it is important to find out the number of illiterate population to enable addressing the issue by setting a target to accomplish. He said there is need to create mass awareness to increase literacy rate of the state as it is only 76.92% with gender gap of 13.32% and catch up with the rank of neighbouring state Mizoram which stood third in the literacy rank with 91.33% and gender gap of only 4% of the country.

Education commissioner H.Deleep Singh, said illiteracy is like a disease that can be cured through mass awareness on importance of literacy.

Commissioner adult education Th. Gopen Meitei said the observation of the International Literacy Day was declared by UNESCO on October 26, 1966 and started celebrating for the first time in 1967.

Certificate of appreciation were also distributed to 8 volunteer teachers for their contribution in the “Let’s learn Meitei Mayek”. Prizes were distributed to the winners of the symposium held in relation to the International Literacy Day with a topic ‘Importance of Adult Education in the development process and involvement of students in Adult Education Programme’ to enhance the eradication of Adult Illiteracy from the society.’