"...it is about respect, development and responsibility." So said the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon in his annual message for Literacy Day 2009.In his sobering speech, he mentioned that the worldwide scale of illiteracy is staggering with approximately 776 million illiterate adults. Literacy, he said, empowers people. Ban Ki-Moon endorsed a statement by Dr. Lalage Brown, a lecturer, who said that "even the simplest acquisition of literacy can have a profoundly empowering effect personally, socially and politically."
I refer to illiteracy as the invisible handicap which does disable its victims. But we can't tell who they are by casual observation. When I think of the empowering effect of illiteracy, I am really inspired to do my utmost for those thirty-one students who will be sitting in front of me come September morning. I know that the task will be overwhelming but not impossible. Doesn't the Bible say that all things are possible with Christ? When I committed myself to working with remedial reading students, I was wide-eyed when I made my decision. I know that the challenges will be many, including interacting with parents in denial and impatient subject teachers who may be unwilling to go the extra mile for the students who really ought not to be in the Secondary school system (but that is another story). All that I know is that if I want my students to be equipped to face their future then my efforts must be relentless. Let us collaborate, especially using the new technologies to assist each other for support. Together, with God's help and our zeal and knowledge, we can aspire much and achieve much.
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