In today’s rapidly evolving world, literacy has transcended the boundaries of traditional classroom education. While formal schooling undoubtedly remains essential, there has been a significant shift in focus towards specialised programmes and interventions that are catalysing a profound impact on literacy. Literacy has a direct relationship with several areas of development, as it is central to the creation of inclusive, peaceful, just and sustainable societies. Progress in other areas of development contributes to generating interest and motivation for people to acquire, use and further develop their literacy and numeracy skills.

Over the last decade, several such efforts have emerged in our country. Pakistan faces significant challenges concerning literacy and education, with a large number of children out of school. Even those who attend school often question the value of completing their education. It has become more important than ever before, therefore, to create ecosystems that enable us to reach out to children in non-traditional, interactive ways. Today, children often find themselves in environments that can be hostile to their interests. To enable them to navigate the world they have inherited, the best approach is to help them become self-learners, enabling them to acquire the knowledge needed to overcome the challenges they face.

One initiative making strides in this direction is the Storykit Programme, founded by Musharraf Ali Farooqi, the renowned author, translator and storyteller. This programme has been running several initiatives aimed at achieving these goals, with a particular focus on creating unique, field-tested products in the education sector. One of their flagship products, The Storykit Box, includes a storybook, board game and audio story that underwent field testing in collaboration with the UNESCO. Another significant project, in partnership with the Google Foundation, involved creating customised stories based on internet safety and media literacy principles, reaching 25,000 children across Pakistan in its initial phase. The programme‘s success led to its expansion, with a target to reach 50,000 children. The content now also encompasses principles of climate resilience, applicable to individuals. In addition, Storykit’s interactive storytelling programme – Memorise, Connect, Improvise method of storytelling, was field-tested in projects delivered for Alif Ailaan. They are also engaged in delivering storytelling training for public representatives from across the political spectrum, broadening the project’s scope and impact.

With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, Storykit launched Corona Cruncher, a free online educational game, in technical collaboration with IBM Pakistan. This game was designed to educate children about basic health and safety precautions through interactive gameplay. To keep children engaged and entertained, Storykit introduced an online storytelling series called Storytime, featuring more than a dozen stories narrated by Storykit storytellers, including Farooqi himself. Additionally, they introduced Hijjay, a user-friendly online game challenging users to create 20 words every day by joining letters, making it an enjoyable linguistic exercise.

Currently, the Storykit team is organising the Pakistan Spelling Bee (www.pakistanspellingbee.com) competition, with the final set to be held in November. This nationwide spelling competition, encompassing English and Urdu, is open to students from Grades 3 to 8. The team believes that the competition will play a pivotal role in elevating literacy levels among participants, especially students. These contests provide engaging platforms that go beyond rote memorisation, encouraging participants to delve into the intricate nuances of language. Ultimately, these competitions foster a lifelong love for language, bolstering literacy rates and nurturing articulate, confident and well-informed individuals who contribute meaningfully to the society. Currently, over 115 schools from all over the country have registered. The initial rounds will take place in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Islamabad, culminating in the final round that will be held in early November in Islamabad.

The Storykit programmes have proven their effectiveness in improving children’s reading abilities while boosting their confidence and communication skills. Beyond fostering reading habits, they have also noticeably contributed to enhanced self-confidence, better communication and increased school attendance and enrolment. This is a clear reminder that literacy isn’t limited to classrooms; it can flourish through creative methods and engaging experiences. As we celebrate the importance of literacy, let’s not forget that these initiatives not only improve reading and writing abilities but also nurture self-assuredness, effective communication and a lasting passion for learning.

The writer is a digital communication expert and consultant currently working in the public sector. He is the mastermind behind the digital platforms, Sukhan, Mani’s Cricket Myths and Over The Line