LETTERS: Sept 8 is World Literacy Day. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) said: "Literacy is a fundamental human right and the foundation for lifelong learning."
World Bank data said Malaysia's literacy rate of people above 15 stood at 95 per cent in 2019.
It is a skill we gained through 12 years of compulsory school education.
It is an achievement to be proud of, but it begs the question: what does literacy mean? Does it suffice with the ability to read, comprehend and write?
In the world that we live, we need computer literacy, financial literacy, health literacy and even social media literacy.
Redefining literacy in the 21st century is challenging.
In this digital age, it is about constructing and validating knowledge. Are we critical in discerning information?
Perhaps there is no better way to develop critical thinking than by reading more.
Reading books can help to develop the skill. Hence, we need to nurture the reading habit from childhood.
Yet we make the mistake of leaving the task to teachers. In this regard, here's what we can do at home.
Ensure there are reading materials such as books at home. Instead of digital entertainment subscription, why not subscribe to educational magazines?
Set up a reading corner and read together. This can limit time spent on digital devices. We can tell inspiring story of great readers. Reading can be fun and imbued with lessons.
We can read about Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of United States.
Even though he came from a poor family and with limited formal education, Lincoln self-taught to learn to read, embarked on a quest for learning and self-improvement and ascended to the highest office of his nation.
But who needs that when we can just tweet now.
However, the fact remains that in many poor communities, literacy is the only path for better opportunities.
Roman statesman, lawyer, scholar, philosopher and academic sceptic Marcus Cicero said: "A room without books is like a body without a soul."
What becomes of a nation that does not read much?
CHEAH C.F.
Ipoh, Perak
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times
