By Bolaji Okunola
As part of its commitment to mark the annual literacy day, Lagos State Ministry of Basic Education and a non-profit Organisation, DO The Dream Youth Development Initiative has planned big towards improving literacy level in the state.
This assertion was made at the 2023 International Literacy Day which was staged on Friday, 8th of September at Ayedeere Ajibola Senior High School, Ikosi Ketu, Lagos.
Speaking at the event tagged ‘Promoting literacy for world in transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies’, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Basic Education, Abayomi Abolaji who was well represented by Director, Lagos State Comprehensive School Program, Lucy Emike Omoaka disclosed the state is currently planning big to improve the standard of education and literacy level in the society. She however applauded United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization [UNESCO] for dedicating a special day billed for reviewing the act of reading and writing.
In her words: ’The international literacy day is a day set aside by UNESCO for us to think about our literacy level so that we will know whether we are improving in what we have and how to have a better literacy level in our country.
‘ The Lagos state government has made a lot of improvement in the field. As a matter of fact when the state discovers that some of our pupil in the primary school were not able to read, Government decided that something must be done about it and went on to establish the EKOEXCEL program where about 15 thousands teachers where trained. The government plans big on this by giving devices to teach. The children too were given books used in learning how to read and write. So in our primary schools today we have at least 85% of our pupils being able to read and write which is a great improvement from what it use to be before now and it’s even helping us in our secondary school level because if a child can read and write in the primary school, it becomes easy for that child to be taught in the secondary school.
‘More bigger plans are in offings. Before now, the state government have embarked in a project capable of luring students and pupils into vocational skills. In the past, we usually have three department which comprises of Art, Science and Commercial but happily for the kids, more has been added to promote vocational skills. Having achieved this plan, we realized children roaming around the street are now finding their way to school. As I speak, we now have children who are into trade, agriculture, fashion, photography, entertainment, building construction, digital skills and host of other field.
‘Joyfully for the children, they now know education can fetch them multiple benefit. I’m urging every man and woman to improve their literacy level so we can all have a very peaceful society to leave in,’ she stated.
In a similar vein, Executive Director, Do The Dream Youth Initiative, Adebusuyi Olutayo Olumadewa, revealed the theme of the occasion will help his target audience which consist of lad and lass voice out their weakness.
‘This project is actually a joint collaboration for the young people to find their voice and create a platform for those voices to be amplified. I believe private and public sector can promote literacy by allowing young people to find their voices, give them opportunities and collaborate with great schools idea to make literacy common for every young male and female. That way, we can make education affordable to everyone from where they are with what they have.
‘It’s known we have over 62 millions iliteracy in Nigeria and our vision is to take one or ten out to go spread the importance of literacy in their society and before you know it, they’ve done a great job by influencing others and getting them educated. This big plan boils down to systematic approach and by so doing, the body will achieve its goal,’ he opined.