Maravi

Literacy a basic right, says Anglican council

Literacy a basic right, says Anglican council
By Edwin Mbulo
Wed 22 June 2011, 04:00 CAT

THE Zambia Anglican Council says literacy is a basic right for everyone and a vital tool for empowerment.

Officiating at a five-day Adult Literacy Volunteer Instructors Workshop at Mary Magdalene Kabulonga Anglican Parish, council national director Grace Phiri said literacy was not just about reading and writing.

“The government, civil society organisations and other stakeholders should stop neglecting adult literacy. Literacy is self-respect, human dignity and about communities and entire societies. It is a basic right to everybody including the adults,” said Phiri on Monday.

She said in Zambia, the most disadvantaged and marginalised were the rural population with a high percentage of girls and women.

Phiri said adult functional literacy would help improve the economic status of households.

And Bishop Leonard Mwenda said knowledge was power and a gift from God.

“If you want knowledge, don’t forget to pray. We cannot say we have knowledge if we leave out God because all knowledge and wisdom comes from God,” Bishop Mwenda said.

He advised the participants drawn from the Lusaka Anglican Diocese, which includes Southern Province, not to keep the knowledge they would gain as literacy instructors to themselves.

“Don’t keep it in a closed circuit as you can get knowledge at any age,” said Bishop Mwenda.

Labels: LITERACY

posted by MrK @ 2:40 PM