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Egypt among six winners of 2024 UNESCO International Literacy Prizes
Egypt is among six winners of 2024 UNESCO International Literacy Prizes over the outstanding contribution of the Illiteracy Eradication project by the Mansoura University which was initiated in response to the urgent need for sustainable social and economic development in rural Egypt.
Since 2019, this project has trained university students to provide literacy courses in rural areas, improving lives and addressing gender disparities. Over 130,000 learners have graduated from it, raising the literacy exam success rate from 69% to 95%.
The Mansoura University’s ‘Illiteracy Eradication Project’ focuses on equipping the rural population with essential competencies in reading, writing, and life skills, thereby facilitating their active participation in society and the labor market.
In a country marked by linguistic diversity, the project embraces a multilingual educational model. It offers literacy courses in Arabic alongside other local languages, supporting learners’ academic and professional development while enriching their cultural understanding. This multilingual framework not only enhances academic success but also promotes mutual respect and peaceful coexistence, contributing to the socioeconomic uplift of rural areas.
To effectively address the challenges of multilingual education, the ‘Illiteracy Eradication Project’ employs several innovative strategies: technology is utilized to extend educational opportunities to remote learners through live lessons and interactive materials; community-based teaching leverages the multilingual abilities of university students, facilitating culturally relevant and accessible education; educational content is carefully curated to resonate with learners’ daily experiences, enhancing engagement and comprehension; teachers receive ongoing training to adapt to evolving educational needs; and, collaborations with local organizations amplify the project’s impact by providing tailored resources and other forms of support.
The project’s success in fostering literacy translates into broader societal impact, promoting peace and understanding through its activities. Surveys and interviews are employed to assess shifts in cultural perceptions as well as advancements in peaceful coexistence. Social cohesion indicators, such as increased community participation and collaboration, reflect the project’s positive influence on social dynamics.
The project has engaged rural communities by harnessing university students’ potential as educators and organizing culturally infused literacy campaigns. These initiatives not only improve literacy rates but also foster a community-centric approach to education, making the learning process more inclusive and effective. Digital resources, such as online platforms, multimedia content, and smart devices ensure that quality education is accessible even in the most remote areas. In this way, the project leverages technology to democratize learning opportunities across linguistic and geographical barriers.
Looking to the future, the project plans to expand its digital and multilingual tools, further integrate community resources, and enhance teacher training. These steps are designed to sustain the initiative’s impact, broaden its reach, and continue breaking down barriers of illiteracy in alignment with Egypt’s development objectives.
About 2024 International Literacy Prizes :
Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, has awarded the 2024 International Literacy Prizes to six exceptional literacy programs from Austria, Egypt, Ghana, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Panama. Selected based on the recommendations of an international jury, these initiatives were singled out for their remarkable contributions to advancing global literacy.
These awards were presented during the International Literacy Day celebrations hosted on 9 September in Yaoundé, Cameroon at the initiative of the President of the Republic of Cameroon, Paul Biya.
This year’s theme, ‘Promoting multilingual education: Literacy for mutual understanding and peace’ underscored that not only multilingual approaches are instrumental in developing literacy competencies; it also supports intercultural dialogue, mutual understanding, and peace.
Organized by UNESCO and hosted by the Government of Cameroon, the global celebrations gathered more than 500 government representatives, development partners, experts, and educators to enhance literacy policies, lifelong learning systems, governance and programs.
The Conference also included a keynote speech by Boubacar Boris Diop, the renowned writer from Senegal, providing valuable insights to advance literacy and multilingualism globally.
Despite global efforts, literacy challenges remain significant, with 754 million adults (over 15 years old) – almost two-thirds of whom are women – still lack basic reading and writing skills.
Additionally, 250 million children are out of school. Progress has been slow and uneven. In 2022, literacy rates among elderly women in some sub-Saharan African countries were as low as 10%, while in several European and North American countries, 99% of male youth and adults were literate. Additionally, over half of the world’s population is bilingual, yet 40% lack access to education in a language they speak or understand.
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