Promoting Literacy in the Digital Era

Since 1966, UNESCO has marked this day to remind the world that literacy is not just a basic skill, but a fundamental human right and a key to social and economic development.

The theme of this year, “Promoting Literacy in the Digital Era”, is both timely and essential. We are living in an age where books and blackboards are no longer the only gateways to knowledge. Today, education has entered a new dimension—one shaped by computers, smartphones, artificial intelligence, and the internet. Literacy in this century goes far beyond the ability to read and write; it now includes the ability to access, understand, and effectively use digital tools.

The Importance of Literacy in the Digital World

Traditionally, literacy meant the power to read a sentence and write a paragraph. But in today’s interconnected world, literacy also means the ability to:

• Search for authentic information online.
• Communicate effectively through digital platforms.
• Understand digital texts, images, and videos.
• Apply knowledge to solve real-life problems.

Without digital literacy, even an educated person may struggle to function in today’s society. Imagine filling a job application online, attending a virtual class, using internet banking, or accessing government schemes without digital skills—it becomes nearly impossible.

Opportunities in the Digital Era

The digital world offers us powerful tools to make education inclusive, flexible, and accessible:

1. E-learning platforms such as SWAYAM, Coursera, and Khan Academy have opened doors for millions of learners across the world.
2. Digital libraries now provide access to books, journals, and articles that were once out of reach for students in remote areas.
3. Mobile learning allows anyone with a smartphone to learn at their own pace, anytime, anywhere.
4. Artificial Intelligence and language tools have made learning possible even in one’s mother tongue, reducing barriers of communication.

Thus, technology has the power to bring education to the doorstep of every learner, breaking the barriers of geography and social inequality.

Challenges in Promoting Literacy in the Digital Era

However, alongside these opportunities, there are pressing challenges that we cannot ignore:

• The Digital Divide: Millions of people, especially in rural and marginalized communities, lack access to affordable internet, electricity, or devices.
• Skill Gap: Teachers and learners often lack the necessary training to use digital resources effectively.
• Content Accessibility: A large portion of online material is available in English, leaving behind those who are more comfortable in local languages.
• Cyber Safety: The internet is filled with misinformation, distractions, and risks that can mislead learners instead of empowering them.

If these challenges are not addressed, digital literacy may deepen social inequalities rather than reduce them.

Steps to Promote Literacy in the Digital Era

To ensure that digital literacy benefits everyone, we need collective efforts from government, educational institutions, teachers, students, and society as a whole. Some important steps include:

1. Bridging the Digital Divide: Providing affordable devices, internet connectivity, and electricity to rural and underprivileged communities.
2. Teacher Training: Equipping educators with digital tools and skills so that they can effectively integrate technology into classrooms.
3. Local Language Content: Creating and promoting digital educational resources in regional languages to make learning inclusive.
4. Awareness Campaigns: Encouraging parents and communities to recognize the value of digital education.
5. Safe Digital Practices: Teaching learners how to use the internet responsibly, ethically, and safely.
6. Public-Private Partnerships: Collaboration between governments, NGOs, and private companies to invest in digital infrastructure and literacy programs.

India’s Role and Responsibility

In India, with its vast population and cultural diversity, promoting literacy in the digital era is both a challenge and an opportunity. Programs like Digital India, National Digital Library, and PM eVidya have already taken steps in this direction. But still, millions remain outside the digital ecosystem. To achieve true literacy, India must ensure that every citizen—whether in a metropolitan city or a remote tribal village—has access to both education and technology.

Conclusion

Friends, literacy is no longer confined to alphabets and numbers; it is about preparing individuals to live, learn, and work in a digital society. As we celebrate International Literacy Day 2025, let us remember that a digitally literate person is not just someone who can operate a smartphone, but one who can use digital knowledge to improve life, society, and humanity as a whole.

Let us pledge today to bridge the gaps, empower learners, and make digital literacy a universal right. Only then can we build a society that is truly literate, equitable, and prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.