As the global community celebrated World Book and Copyright Day (WBCD) yesterday, the spotlight fell on the level of learning poverty worldwide. There is an urgent need for Nigerian policymakers to implement robust initiatives that foster the growth of the knowledge industry. CHINAKA OKORO writes that such efforts are essential for unlocking the innate potential of citizens, including authors, and advancing societal development.
The level of learning poverty across the globe, including Nigeria, is terrifying. This has become a source of worry to stakeholders in the knowledge industry, who reasoned that if concrete steps are not taken to curb the horrid situation, future generations will have a profound hatred for books and reading, which, in turn, would negate peaceful and informed society.
To underscore the importance of books in the development of the individual and society, the United Nations, through its agency, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), established the World Book and Copyright Day.
So, every year, the book, which is a great factor in the knowledge industry, is commemorated the world over, to promote reading and to encourage children and adults to explore the pleasure of books and reading by providing them with the opportunity to embrace education which is a catalyst for human and societal development.
Mindful of the importance of instilling a love for learning at an early age, UNESCO has selected “Read Your Way” as the theme for this year’s World Book Day. This theme emphasizes the notion that children are more inclined to engage with reading when they are empowered to choose their own books and when reading is presented as an enjoyable activity.
About the importance of the Day, the National Librarian/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Library of Nigeria, Abuja, Prof Chinwe Veronica Anunobi said: “The WBCD is commemorated to promote the enjoyment of books and reading. It emphasises the pivotal role of books in raising intellectually sound societies and providing equitable access to knowledge across generations and cultures. It fosters harmony among diverse communities and contributes to the building of informed societies.”
Nigeria’s learning poverty situation
Statistics reeled off by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) showed that “Nigeria is facing twin crises of out-of-school children and severe learning poverty; a situation described by the World Bank as ‘the inability of a 10-year-old to read or understand a simple sentence or solve basic numeracy problem;’ a state in which “three out of every 20 out-of-school children globally are in Nigeria. It is estimated that three out of four children, and even more, of the poorest children cannot read or solve simple problems.”
It is clear that to improve learning outcomes in Nigeria, achieving basic foundational skills at that level of learning cannot be over-stressed. The report also noted that 83.5 per cent of Nigerian children less than five years old are poor due to a lack of intellectual stimulation needed for childhood development. Sadly, it added that the estimated total number of poor under-five children in Nigeria is 22.85 million.
Although it’s challenging to pinpoint the exact number of children globally who cannot read or write, UNESCO reports that 250 million of them lack basic literacy skills. The recent publication titled The State of Global Learning Poverty: 2022 Update,” a collaborative effort among the World Bank, UNICEF, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) of the UK Government, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and in partnership with UNESCO, underscores that “even before the COVID-19 pandemic, there was already a learning crisis.” It’s evident that since then, COVID-19 has significantly worsened learning poverty, with school disruptions caused by the pandemic exacerbating the already severe learning crisis that existed before.
The Federal Government is not unaware of the challenge of learning poverty, even as it has been making frenetic efforts to address the unkind situation. The Minister of State for Education, Yusuf Sununu, stated this much at the National Conference on the “Learning Crisis in Nigeria” in Abuja where he grieved over the fact that “the learning crisis had been a challenge the education sector is faced with which needs urgent solution.”
Expressing the government’s worry over the challenges, Sununu said: “The consequences of the learning crisis are far-reaching and profound as we risk widening the already significant education gap, perpetuating the cycle of poverty, illiteracy, diseases and stifling innovation and progress. Education is the cornerstone of societal progress and individual empowerment, yet the challenges we currently confront demand our immediate attention, dedication and action.”
Sununu expressed the political will of President Bola Tinubu-led administration to raise education budgetary allocation from a paltry eight per cent to 25 per cent in the next few years. This, the minister said, would be a breakthrough in addressing the issue of the learning crisis.
For Dr Chinedu Ifechigha, former Senior Lecturer in the Department of Curriculum Theory, University of Lagos, solving the learning poverty problem in Nigeria is vital. He urges policymakers, state governments and other stakeholders in the knowledge industry to address the remote and immediate causes of the problem. He suggested that the path towards resolving the education crisis requires a lasting commitment and a comprehensive approach, adding that the government must allocate a significant portion of the national budget to education and prioritising infrastructure development.
Books and their functions
Describing books as unique tools for expression, education, and communication, observers of the developments in the knowledge industry have noted that they play essential roles in everyone’s life by introducing them to a world of imagination, providing knowledge of the outside world, improving their reading, writing, and speaking skills, as well as boosting memory and intelligence. Corroborating this view, Prof. Anunobi enumerated some of the benefits that accrue from reading books. The National Librarian stated that by reading books, individuals gain enormous benefits that transform their lives for the better.
She said: “Reading books fosters critical thinking, creativity, imagination and exploration of new ideas, perspectives and complex concepts, thereby enhancing cognitive abilities and intellectual curiosity. Books provide knowledge, broaden individuals’ worldviews and foster creativity. They serve as guides in challenging situations and provide solutions to complex questions. They provide escapism and entertainment, transporting readers to imaginative worlds through fiction, poetry, or fantasy, offering respite from everyday life and stimulating imagination…”
Books have been here for centuries and they are said to contain “the knowledge of our past, civilisations and cultures.”
The Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay went philosophical in her description of books in her message during this year’s celebration.
She said: “Books are invitations to travel and to encounter others: with each new page turned, another world appears before our eyes. On World Book and Copyright Day 2024, we wish to celebrate the power and beauty of books. Books, in all their forms, allow us to learn and to keep ourselves informed. They also entertain us and help us to understand the world, while offering a window into otherness…”
Validating Azoulay’s views, Dr Ifechigha noted that “books have always played and will continue to play a very important role in individuals’ lives, education and economy.” He maintained that “books are tools for learning, for sharing and updating knowledge. The real life-changing values that individuals are imparted within schools come from books.
“Books are unarguable means through which knowledge is shared and the values of tolerance, solidarity and dialogue can flourish.”
Describing books as works of the mind protected by copyright which enrich the intangible heritage of humanity, the Curriculum Theory expert noted that “books are a means of expression which live through language and in language…”
Libraries and reading culture
The National Librarian and CEO of the National Library of Nigeria, Prof. Anunobi, expressed concern over the below-average state of Nigeria’s reading culture. While acknowledging that there is interest in reading among a significant number of Nigerians, she lamented that the majority are not inclined towards reading unless compelled by academic requirements. According to Prof. Anunobi, a country with a strong and vibrant reading culture can confidently look to its future with pride. Regrettably, she noted that this is not the case for Nigeria. “Research,” she said, “has shown that the average Nigerian reads less than one book per year. The annual readership promotion campaign which advocates for both reading for academic excellence and personal growth, capacity building and leisure/recreation among others, is in response to this reading decline.
On the effortsby her organisation to improve reading culture among Nigerians, Prof. Anunobi said: “The National Library of Nigeria is working along with other stakeholders to institute a National Reading Day in Nigeria. The initiative is to be ratified by the Federal Government as an annual national event that will draw the attention of Nigerians to the need to embrace reading as a rewarding engagement. We are partnering with numerous local and international organisations to deepen the campaign for reading.”
If books are indeed pivotal to societal and human development, how can their continued development be sustained? Experts argue that throughout history, the book and other products of the creative mind have been significantly impacted by those who exploit intellectual property without proper acknowledgement or compensation. To combat this issue, countries within the United Nations have established a legal framework known as Copyright, aimed at promoting the development of books and protecting intellectual property.
Aligning her view with the above, Prof. Anunobi hinted that one of the main objectives of World Book and Copyright Day is “to promote the protection of written works through the use of Copyright. The Day also provides an opportunity for the general public to recognise the achievements and rights of authors who have contributed immensely to the social and cultural progress of any society. Copyright protects the physical expression of ideas.”
On the need to protect the rights of authors to their works, Prof. Anunobi maintained that “since copyright is a form of intellectual property which gives the creator of an original work exclusive rights for a certain period about that work, including its publication, distribution and adaptation, after which time the work is said to enter the public domain, the copyright law in Nigeria should further be strengthened to prevent the activities of pirates who deprive authors of whatever financial gain that may accrue from their creative efforts.”
How the government can encourage learning
Prof. Anunobi stressed the pivotal role of government intervention in nurturing a reading culture among Nigerians and unlocking the immense benefits offered by books. She articulated several crucial steps that the Federal Government should undertake. Prof. Anunobi advocated for the formulation of policies and initiatives aimed at bolstering book development and encouraging reading habits. Additionally, she urged the government to allocate adequate funding to libraries, ensuring they are well-equipped and accessible to all citizens. Supporting various programmes geared towards promoting literacy and reading across the nation was highlighted as another vital action point.
As the international community commemorates World Book and Copyright Day, Prof. Anunobi emphasised the importance of leveraging the occasion to raise awareness and launch impactful campaigns promoting sustained interest in reading, books, and the observance of copyright laws.
Lastly, she urged the government to incentivise intellectuals to author and publish enriching books that contribute to knowledge dissemination and stimulate reading habits nationwide. These concerted efforts, if implemented, hold the potential to not only elevate literacy rates but also foster a culture of intellectual growth and creativity across Nigeria.
