Every year, communities around the world come together to celebrate International Literacy Week (ILW), a global event dedicated to promoting the importance of literacy as a fundamental human right. This day, established by UNESCO in 1967, is dedicated to promoting the importance of literacy as a tool for empowering individuals and building more inclusive societies. Literacy, at its core, refers to the ability to read, write, and comprehend information, but in today's world, it extends to functional literacy: applying these skills to solve problems, make informed decisions, and engage meaningfully in society.

In Tanzania, the occasion was marked with nationwide festivities from October 7th to 11th, reflecting the country's unwavering commitment to inclusive lifelong learning.

UNESCO's global theme for International Literacy Day 2024 was “Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace.” This theme emphasised the importance of incorporating multilingual approaches into education to foster communication, understanding, and peace across cultures.

In Tanzania, the theme for ILW 2024 was "Inclusion in Lifelong Learning for Skills, Resilience, Peace, and Development." This theme aligned with UNESCO's global focus on promoting multilingual education, emphasising the importance of creating inclusive learning environments that cater to diverse needs and backgrounds.

In Tanzania, the theme resonated deeply with the country's unique challenges and opportunities. With a population of over 60 million, Tanzania faces significant disparities in education access, particularly in rural areas and among marginalised groups. By prioritising inclusion, the government aims to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, have the opportunity to acquire the skills and knowledge they need to thrive. It also highlights the use of real-life learning environments, which enable individuals to acquire and apply skills relevant to their development.

ILW Celebrations Across Tanzania

Commemoration events were held throughout different districts in Tanzania in the lead-up to ILW. Let us take a look at some of the different celebrations at the district level, including those where DVV International is implementing pilot Community Learning Centres (CLCs), and the national events in Tabora.

District Level Celebrations:

• Kibaha DC: The celebrations took place on October 4th at Mlandizi Primary School, featuring a range of activities including sports competitions, cultural performances, and science presentations from students of Open Schools. The event also included a graduation ceremony for 142 adult learners who had completed literacy, numeracy, and vocational skills training programs. DVV International plays an active role in supporting adult education in Kibaha DC through initiatives like Community Learning Centres (CLCs) that provide practical skills training and entrepreneurship opportunities.

• Kisarawe DC: The celebration at Mzenga Primary School on October 5th included literacy drama performances, an English-speaking session, and a reading exercise. The highlight of the event was the official opening of the Community Learning Centre (CLC) at Mzenga and the recognition of graduates from literacy training and skills development programs

• Kongwa DC: The ILW celebrations in Kongwa District on October 7th focused on supporting vulnerable groups, especially young girls and adults seeking literacy and vocational skills. The event took place in Hogoro Ward at the Hogoro CLC. The guest of honour was the District Commissioner, Hon. Mayeka Simon, who shared powerful remarks about the CLC at Hogoro, emphasising its potential to improve the lives of the people there. He mentioned that they should bring in experts from various sectors like health, agriculture, and livestock keeping and offer training that can benefit the community beyond just literacy.

• Tarime DC: Tarime District commemorated ILW on September 23rd at Keryoba-Sirari Primary School, with activities emphasizing the importance of education for all. The event featured tree planting, drama performances by students, traditional dance showcases, and a tour of the school's demonstration plots and facilities. The District Executive Director (DED) outlined plans for the future of education in the district, including the construction of a pilot Community Learning Centre for adults and out-of-school students, capacity building for teachers and facilitators, improving healthcare services for students with special needs, and encouraging parental contributions to school lunches.

Following the district-level celebrations, ILW was celebrated nationally from October 7th to 11th in Tabora region. The events included an exhibition at Chipukizi grounds (7th-11th), meetings for stakeholders and adult education officers (8th-9th), an academic symposium (10th), and the peak of the celebrations on the 11th.

The Symposium Day: Held at the Regional Commissioner Hall in Tabora on October 10th, the symposium brought together government officials, Adult Education Officers, academicians, NGOs, the Institute of Adult Education, and development partners to discuss and formulate resolutions for enhancing adult and non-formal education (ANFE) in Tanzania. The permanent secretary of the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. Carolyne Nombo, was the guest of honor. During her opening speech, she emphasised the importance of Adult Education.

To encourage more people to participate in Adult Education and Lifelong Learning, we need to make these programmes interesting. Lifelong learning is a part of our daily lives, and as stakeholders, we must develop a solid strategy for implementing, monitoring, and delivering quality and creative adult education.

The resolutions from the symposium included revitalizing ANFE committees at various levels, ensuring the active participation of District and Regional Education Officers in future ILW commemorations, establishing at least one CLC in each district, and providing capacity-building programs for Adult Education Officers in collaboration with the Institute of Adult Education (IAE).

The national celebrations during the peak day also featured the presentation of reports from Adult Education Officers across Tanzania, showcasing progress and identifying challenges in the implementation of adult education programmes.

The ILW celebrations in Tanzania showcased the nation's dedication to promoting literacy and lifelong learning for all citizens. The events highlighted the importance of inclusivity in education and the role of adult education in empowering individuals and communities. The resolutions adopted during the symposium provided a roadmap for strengthening adult and non-formal education in Tanzania, furthering the nation's progress towards achieving literacy for all.