In recognition of International Literacy Day (ILD) 2024, Impactful Education organized a Literacy Bootcamp, bringing together the 5,000 students attending Lycée Moderne d’Anyama to promote literacy as a tool for peace and social cohesion. This year’s theme, “Promoting literacy for a world in transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies,” aligns perfectly with our values of using education as a catalyst for peace and community transformation.
Addressing the Literacy Crisis Through Action
Globally, literacy remains a pressing challenge, with 754 million adults lacking basic literacy skills and millions of children struggling to achieve proficiency in reading and writing. In 2022, one out of seven adults aged 15 and above lacked basic literacy skills (Save the Children). Additionally, in Ivory Coast, millions of children are struggling to reach minimum proficiency levels in reading and writing, and 1.5 million school-age children are out of school, according to UNICEF.
At Impactful Education, we recognize that literacy is more than just the ability to read and write; it is a fundamental human right that fosters equality, critical thinking, and social cohesion especially in a country like Ivory Coast, where political stability is often threatened.
To mark ILD 2024, we launched our Closing the Gap Program, designed to bridge literacy and technology gaps. During the week of ILD, we kicked off the Literacy Club, with engaging activities in library lessons and club sessions that helped enhance literacy, encourage multilingual learning, and promote mutual understanding.
Key Achievements and Outcomes:
During the Literacy Club, 79 students actively participated in specialized literacy activities:
- Creative Writing: 26 students developed their storytelling and writing skills.
- Spelling Bee: 21 students competed in spelling challenges, strengthening their vocabulary and language comprehension.
- Debates & Roundtable Discussions: 17 students engaged in thought-provoking discussions on books they read, fostering critical thinking and communication skills.
- Basic English Learning: 15 students took part in foundational English lessons, enhancing their ability to engage in multilingual education.
Collaboration & Shared Learning : Over 600 students, ranging from 6ème to Terminale (6th to 12th grade), participated in French-themed literacy workshops, covering topics such as Reading Comprehension, Text Analysis, Word Games, Vocabulary, and Grammar.
Promoting Social Cohesion Through Education: Through interactive classes, group activities, and shared learning experiences, students not only strengthened their literacy skills but also built stronger social connections.
At the end of the week, Impactful Education reiterated its commitment to ensuring that every child, regardless of linguistic or geographic background, has access to quality education and free literacy resources. By investing in literacy, we are equipping young learners with the tools they need to unlock their full potential, contribute to society, and build a more peaceful world.
