Education is a basic human right and a necessity in every individual’s life for their own as well as the society’s growth. So, why is international day of education celebrated?
International Day of Education is celebrated on 24th January every year to acknowledge the contribution of education towards development and peace. Issues like poverty, gender equality etc. cannot be eradicated without equitable educational opportunities for every person.
International Day of Education History
It was the United Nations, who first proposed the idea of International Day of Education on 3rd December 2018. Since then, people across the world celebrate this day by acknowledging the importance of education in their lives. The theme for this day in 2023 is “to invest in people, prioritize education”.
What is the meaning of International Day of Education?
International Day of Education serves as a reminder to every individual that poverty is a huge issue in society which prevents a large number of people from receiving an education, which is a fundamental human right.
International Day of Education 2023 Activities
There are a number of activities that can be done with kids to celebrate this day. Some of them are as follows:
- Picture the Alphabets involves giving the child a phone, and asking them to click pictures of objects for each of the 26 alphabets in their surroundings. These can later be checked and rewards can be given accordingly.
- For older kids and even adults, an activity could be to calculate percentages of boys/girls or primary/secondary etc. students in education in different countries and thus, making oneself aware about the education situation in the world.
Why is International Day of Education Important?
The last few years have taken a toll on education across the world, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the lockdown that was imposed, many students were unable to attend school that was shifted to an online mode, because of lack of resources like smartphones, internet etc.
There was also a huge economic crisis that led to the poor becoming even poorer with their conditions being such that they could not even think of education, as their basic needs were also not being fulfilled. Those who were privileged enough to afford online education also could not focus and concentrate in their lectures after a certain point. COVID thus definitely had a negative impact on education as a whole.
Importance of Inclusive Education
Inclusive education is a concept which means that each and every child has an equal opportunity to attend school, gain knowledge and develop skills to succeed in life. It means that diverse groups of people, including those who are marginalized have the chance to benefit from education, and not be excluded or oppressed in any way. Literacy in simple terms means the ability to read and write.
Importance of Literacy
Literacy can be relevant in empowering individuals as it makes them more capable of gaining employment, which can help them bring themselves out of poverty. Further, it helps individuals to contribute to their communities by making them more aware of their surroundings. This way, people can share their ideas, opinions, and concerns with the communities that they belong to, thus learning from each other and growing in their own ways.
Literacy also aids in maintaining good health as people are better able to comprehend and interpret health information. The above mentioned are some of the reasons why it is pertinent for literacy programs to reach the marginalized and disadvantaged groups.
Role of Ngos in Education in India
Non Profit Organizations in India reflect on the importance of education in promoting global understanding and peace. They recognize that access to education is a fundamental human right, yet millions of people in India lack access to basic education. Committed to providing education to underprivileged communities in India, Ngos believe that education is the key to unlocking the potential of individuals and communities, and their programs are designed to do just that.
Wishes and Blessings is one charitable organization that works towards providing equal opportunities and making quality education available to every child. The organisation also aims to empower differently-abled and underprivileged children so as to help them build a bright future for themselves.
We welcome donations that are used to support the NGO’s programs and schemes like building classroom infrastructure, funding our teachers’ salaries and to also provide educational materials like books and stationery to our students. Such kind of monetary support from donors is extremely important to continue its efforts of making a constructive impact in the field of education and literacy. The NGO has seen the positive impact that education has on children’s lives, and even their families, and is committed to continue its work in the arena of child education, to ensure that every child in India has an access to education.
Further, it reminds us that gender discrimination still exists with a lot of girls not being able to get education in different parts of the world. On an individual level, the least one can do is impart education and knowledge to the needy if we can. This can start even in one’s home like by teaching one’s house help or their children. Change cannot be brought about only by the government’s policies, but only when every person contributes towards it.
About the Author
