In conjunction with the International Literacy Day (8 September), Pustaka Negeri Sarawak was awarded the UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy 2022.
Pustaka Negeri Sarawak was selected to be one of the six recipients for the outstanding literacy programmes.
The other recipients were from Brazil, India, Malaysia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom as laureates of its International Literacy Prizes, based on the recommendations of international juries.
The awards were presented during an international conference in Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire), on 8 and 9 September 2022, under the theme “Transforming literacy learning spaces”.
It was attended by Chairman of Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, YBhg Tan Sri Datuk Amar (Dr.) Haji Hamid Bugo, Pustaka’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Tuan Haji Japri Bujang Masli, and Head of Information Services Division, Edison Ricket.
Pustaka Negeri Sarawak has won The UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy, sponsored by the Government of the People’s Republic of China which recognizes contributions to functional literacy leveraging technological environments in support of adults in rural areas and out-of-school youth. It awarded to Pustaka programme ‘People Accessible Network for Digital Empowerment and Inclusivity (PANDei)’.
The PANDei aims to help build a comprehensive support network, empowering local communities’ digital competencies and skills for building a digital-ready community.
From 2018 to 2022, 81,057 learners benefited from the programme, which also helped train 54 facilitators and teachers through Train of Trainer (T o T) activities.
Since 1967, the UNESCO International Literacy Prizes have rewarded excellence and innovation in the field of literacy. Over 506 projects and programmes around the world have already received recognition and support for their excellent work. Through these prizes, UNESCO seeks to support effective literacy practices and encourages the promotion of dynamic literate societies.
Currently there are two UNESCO International Literacy Prizes:
- The UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize (3 awards)
Established in 1989, with the support of the Government of the Republic of Korea. It gives special consideration to mother language-based literacy development. Each of the three King Sejong prizewinners receives a medal, a diploma and US$20.000
- The UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy (3 awards)
Established in 2005, with the support of the Government of the People’s Republic of China. It gives special consideration to functional literacy, leveraging technological environments, in support of adults in rural areas and out-of-school youth. Each of the three Confucius prize winners receives a medal, a diploma and US$30.000.
(Source: https://www.unesco.org/en)
Below is the list of recipients of the 2022 UNESCO International Literacy Awards;
- ‘Native Scientist’ programme of Native Scientist, United Kingdom
- ‘Mother Tongue Based Multilingual Education’ programme of Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences, India
- ‘Madrasa Arabic lessons’ programme of Madrasa, United Arab Emirates
The UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy were awarded to:
- ‘Accessible Literature’ (Literatura Acessível) programme of Institute Include, Brazil.
- ‘People Accessible Network for Digital Empowerment and Inclusivity (PANDei)’ programme of Sarawak State Library, Malaysia
- ‘School Readiness through Community Participation’ programme of The Molteno Institute for Language and Literacy, South Africa
(Source: https://www.unesco.org/en)
