Maseru, Sept.08 — As the world celebrates International Literacy Day, countries have been urged to continue with collective efforts to promote linguistic and cultural diversity as a foundation of peace.
In her message for on Sunday, Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Ms. Audrey Azoulay stated that children learn to read and write best in their mother tongue.
She however indicated that 40 percent of people lack access to education in a language they speak or . She said in Africa children start school in a language different from the one they speak at home. She pointed out that 3 out of 4 children in developing countries cannot read and understand a simple text by the age of 10.
She added that there are 754 million illiterate adults worldwide, two-thirds of whom are women. . .
