Celebrating International Literacy Day in the time of COVID-19
Tuesday, September 8th, 2020 marks the 53rd anniversary of International Literacy Day. Created by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) back in 1967, the day is meant to spread awareness about the importance of literacy worldwide. As students and teachers prepare to go back to school this fall, they are stepping into a whole new world of trying to learn during a global pandemic. This year, UNESCO is using International Literacy Day to highlight educators and the role they play in advancing literacy among youth and adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to UNESCO, the push to a more virtual society during the pandemic has only made the divide between the disadvantaged and the rest of the world deepen, hampering efforts in increasing literacy rates among the world’s less fortunate. In celebration of International Literacy Day, the Toronto International Festival of Authors spoke to two teachers about their experience teaching in the Spring of 2020 and preparing to enter the classroom in September 2020, and their efforts trying to advance literacy in the classrooms.