Education for all: a right to learn and thrive
International Literacy Day highlights education as a fundamental human right. From a Bahá’í perspective, education should develop intellectual abilities and moral qualities, enabling people to contribute to just, united and peaceful communities.
September 8, International Literacy Day, underscores the significance of education. No one should be denied access to literacy and knowledge, which are fundamental human rights. Despite global advancements, a staggering 739 million adults remain illiterate, with two-thirds being women. A mere 40% of children achieve basic reading proficiency.
The Universal House of Justice, the Bahá’í Faith's international governing council, urges world governments to support universal education, as ignorance significantly contributes to societal decline and prejudice. Education should not merely involve enrolling students in schools, but also inspire a vision of just and peaceful communities where every individual's potential is valued and utilized.
This balance of moral and intellectual development is crucial, as emphasized by Bahá’u’lláh, who saw education as a cornerstone of a thriving civilization. It should encompass the physical, intellectual, spiritual, and ethical dimensions of humanity. An education that fosters moral virtues like truthfulness, courtesy, generosity, and justice can build harmonious families and communities.
Moreover, it should instill the understanding of humanity's oneness, encouraging respect for diversity and harmonious interactions with people of all backgrounds. Educational programs should equip individuals to actively participate in their own development and that of their communities, contributing to the creation of a just, united, and peaceful world.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
