As literacy rates continue to shape the future of education and economic growth, education experts and advocacy groups are calling for stronger national policies to promote a reading culture in schools and communities. While access to education has improved, studies show that reading habits among students and adults remain low, raising concerns about long-term literacy development.

The Literacy Challenge: Access vs. Engagement

According to recent reports, millions of children across Africa complete school without achieving basic reading comprehension skills. While governments and NGOs have made progress in expanding access to education, experts argue that simply attending school is not enough—students need active encouragement to develop a habit of reading beyond the classroom.

“We need to go beyond building schools,” said Dr. Ifeanyi Okoro, an education policy analyst. “We need policies that integrate libraries, encourage book publishing, and provide access to reading materials in indigenous languages.”

Proposed Solutions to Strengthen Literacy Policies

📚 Mandatory Library Development in Schools – Experts suggest that all public schools should have well-stocked libraries and trained librarians.

📖 National Reading Campaigns – Governments and organizations should invest in programs that promote reading among children and adults.

📑 Book Accessibility & Local Publishing Support – Policies should encourage affordable book publishing and ensure that books in local languages are available.

🖥️ Digital Literacy & E-Reading Platforms – With the rise of technology, there is a need to invest in digital libraries and reading apps that allow access to books even in remote areas.

What This Means for the Future

Stronger literacy policies could transform education outcomes, economic productivity, and overall national development. Countries that have invested in literacy programs, such as Rwanda and South Africa, have already seen improvements in student performance and innovation.

Advocacy groups are now urging policymakers, educators, and the private sector to work together to create a sustainable plan that ensures everyone—especially children—has access to books and reading resources.

JOF Library’s Role in the Literacy Movement

As part of its commitment to literacy advocacy, JOF Library is launching a Policy Roundtable to discuss practical steps toward improving literacy policies. The event will bring together education experts, policymakers, teachers, and community leaders to find actionable solutions.

📍 Event Date: [Insert Date]
📍 Venue: JOF Library Conference Hall
📍 Who Can Attend: Open to policymakers, educators, and the public

📚✨ A nation that reads is a nation that leads! Join the conversation and be part of the change.