This year’s International Literacy Day topic was: “Teaching and learning during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond”.

“It is no secret that the COVID-19 situation has had an impact on education. The majority of programs have been suspended, with some continuing to function through distance learning or open-air formats,” notes English Language teacher Svetlana Feshchenko, who serves as head of the ILS English Language Subjects Cycle. “For Literacy Day, the students were asked to think about how this situation has affected teaching and studying around the world. What lessons have we learned? What would be the optimal, the most successful strategy for getting out of the crisis?”

The students were divided into groups, with each offering suggestions and then creating handsome posters and leaflets in English.

The students decided that to get out of the crisis in education, all available resources should be used, including: Internet platforms for on-line conferences, television, radio, educational portals, apps for mobile gadgets, and also printed periodicals. The results of the students' efforts can be viewed in the school's third-floor hallway.

“International Literacy Day was launched by UNESCO more than 50 years ago,” explains ILS Principal Olga Shevchenko. “The idea is to enhance the spread of literacy throughout the world, which has become particularly important during the COVID-19 crisis. Participation in this project has given our students the opportunity to consider and discuss how modern, effective learning methods can be used in programs to increase literacy among young people and adults during the fight against the pandemic and beyond.”