Over 775 million adults struggle with basic literacy of which two-thirds figure are women. International Literacy Day 2020 will focus on teaching and learning during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond. It will focus changing teaching practices and the role of educators.

This means that this year the day is even more relevant than ever as teachers, pupils s and families face the challenges of distance teaching and the need to develop new approaches to teaching that may need to be adopted in the future to ensure literacy for all.

International Literacy Day (ILD) is a way to raise awareness and to encourage children and adults alike to develop their literacy skills. 

The first International Literacy Day was in 1967

"International Literacy Day marks the importance of literacy to all countries and cultures. It is a a powerful tool helping to eradicate poverty and enhance human progress."