Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School, Dar es Salaam celebrates International Literacy Day
On 10 September 2024, the Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School, Dar es Salaam celebrated International Literacy Day under this year’s theme “Promoting multilingual education: Literacy for mutual understanding and peace".
Since 1967, the annual celebrations of International Literacy Day have taken place on 8 September. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) states that this year’s theme aims to unpack issues related to literacy in multilingual contexts for achieving lasting peace and to explore possible solutions for enhancing policies, lifelong learning systems, governance, programme and practices.
The celebrations at the school included engaging activities designed to highlight the relevance of literacy in an evolving world and encourage students to reflect on the power of reading and writing.
A highlight of the day was a video presentation featuring both teachers and students sharing their thoughts on the importance of literacy in shaping critical thinking and future opportunities. Their perspectives underscored how literacy continues to empower communities, especially in today’s fast-changing world.
"This is such an exhilarating moment that has been able to bring together teachers and the students’ community in an attempt to continue combating illiteracy through creatively engaging activities," said the school’s Creativity, Activity and Service Coordinator Jamilu Baguma.
Students took part in a fun and challenging word hunt, which helped reinforce vocabulary skills in a playful and competitive atmosphere. The multilingual quiz was another exciting event, testing students’ knowledge of languages from different cultures, promoting inclusivity and celebrating linguistic diversity. The day also saw a lively dress-up activity, where students transformed into beloved characters from literature, bringing stories to life.
“I dressed as Lucifer Morningstar, a character from Neil Gaiman's ‘The Sandman’ series,” said Shivam Karia, a Grade 9 student. “Literacy Day gave me the chance to showcase Lucifer's charm and charisma, highlighting how compelling book characters can be. It also emphasised the importance of reading, as books introduce us to fascinating stories and personalities that broaden our imagination and understanding."
Through these activities, the Aga Khan Mzizima Secondary School, Dar es Salaam emphasised the importance of literacy not just as a tool for education but as a bridge to understanding, expression and social progress – aligning perfectly with the theme. The celebration left students inspired and reminded of the transformative role that literacy plays in today’s world.
Photos (top to bottom):
- Students taking part in exciting ILD activities.
- Students in the audience cheering for their peers.
- Students dressed as book characters.
