Berbice commemorated National Literacy Day on Thursday by hosting a Teddy Bears Picnic at the New Amsterdam Esplanade Park. The event was executed by Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) Literacy Advisor, Ms Shelley Dixon.
More than 300 Grade Two children from the St Therese, St Aloysius, All Saints and N/A Primary Schools participated in the event.
According to Dixon, the aim of the day’s proceedings was to encourage and foster the love for reading to make it enjoyable and pleasurable for the kids.
The students listened to stories that were read by the VSO officials. They also joined in and played games. All children took home a bookmark as a keepsake from the day’s activities.
September 8 was proclaimed International Literacy Day by UNESCO on November 17, 1965. It was first celebrated in 1966. Its aim is to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies.
On International Literacy Day each year, UNESCO reminds the international community of the status of literacy and adult learning globally. Celebrations take place around the world.
Despite many and varied efforts, literacy remains an elusive target: some 793 million adults lack minimum literacy skills which means that about one in six adults is still not literate; 67.4 million children are out-of-school and many more attend irregularly or drop out.
Ms Dixon thanked Banks DIH Limited for sponsoring the event.
The theme for this year’s celebration was ‘Literacy and Peace’, with focus on worldwide literacy needs.