By Our Reporter
In commemoration of World Literacy Day 2024, the FCT Department of Mass Education held a special event under the theme, “Promoting Multilingual Education, Mutual Understanding, and Peace.”
Speaking at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, Durumi ,focusing on the children enrolled in the “School Without Walls” program, designed to provide education to displaced and marginalized communities,the Director of the Department, Hajia Titilayo Alayande said “Multilingual education is not just about learning to read and write in different languages but about fostering unity and appreciation for our diversity.
She stated that,by equipping our children with the ability to communicate across different languages, we are sowing the seeds of peace and understanding, which are essential for national development.”
She explained further that, by promoting literacy in various languages,the individuals are empowered not only to participate fully in society but also to help build bridges that contribute to global peace and stability.
The Director stressed that it is critical to provide resources that allow young people to access education in other languages in order to enhance their communication skills and networking abilities.
She said, the Department in collaboration with a Non Governmental Organization of No Child is left Behind deem it fit to celebrate with the Internally Displaced Persons particularly the School Children at School without Walls to show the care and concern of the FCT Administration to reaffirm its commitment to ensuring that every child in the Federal Capital Territory has access to quality education in a safe and supportive environment and are economically empowered to contribute to their society sustainability while sowing the seeds of peace and understanding in a diverse society.
The facilitator of the NGO, Mrs Nene Amodu expressed her delight in
breaking the barriers to education accessibility assuring that the NGO is a Nigeria in Diaspora Organization which focus on education for all . She commended the Department of Mass Education in the FCT for being in the forefront of creating literacy awareness and choosing the IDP camp for the 2024 International Literacy Day.
The partnering Organization made a generous donation of packs of sanitary pads to the girls attending the school without walls.
Mrs Amodu said,
this act of kindness was aimed at addressing the hygiene needs of the girls in the IDP camp, ensuring that their education is not interrupted due to menstrual challenges.
The children who spoke were enthusiastic about the program and participated in a variety of activities aimed at enhancing their literacy skills in multiple languages.
The well attended event also featured performance sessions in different Nigerian languages, showcasing the richness of the country’s linguistic diversity.