International Literacy Day celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. UNESCO’s theme, “Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity”, reminds us that literacy is not just an educational outcome. It supports inclusion, sustainable communities, livelihoods and economic development.

The Welsh Government is preparing a Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Plan. The ambition to strengthen literacy and numeracy is welcome. However, the plan takes a 0 to 16 approach, and we must be careful not to treat literacy as something that begins and ends at the school gate.

Adults who struggle with literacy experience the consequences throughout life. Literacy affects the ability to find and progress in work, understand health information, manage money, use digital services, support children’s learning and participate confidently in society. As services move online, literacy and digital literacy are increasingly connected.

There is also an important intergenerational dimension. Supporting children is essential, but some parents and carers may themselves have missed out at school or need help to rebuild skills and confidence. If adult literacy is overlooked, disadvantage can continue from one generation to the next. Adult Community Learning and family learning can help break that pattern by supporting adults and children together, in ways that are relevant to their lives.

Returning to learning as an adult takes courage. For some, previous experiences of education have left them believing that learning is not for them. Estyn has identified confidence as the greatest single barrier preventing adults from returning to learning. That makes the role of tutors, community organisations and local partnerships particularly important. They create trusted, accessible routes back into learning, often reaching people who would not enter a formal education setting.

The forthcoming Skills Audit for Wales, being undertaken by Learning and Work Institute Cymru for the Welsh Government, provides an opportunity to ensure that literacy, numeracy and digital skills are recognised as national priorities across the country. These are not only skills for economic growth. They are the foundations that enable people to exercise choice, understand the world around them and play an active part in their families and communities.

We should welcome a renewed national focus on children’s literacy while looking beyond it. Wales needs to retain a clear view of adult need and recognise Adult Community Learning and family learning as essential parts of the wider picture. That means giving adult literacy sustained priority, supporting the professional workforce and avoiding dependence on short-term initiatives.

International Literacy Day should celebrate every adult who has taken the difficult first step back into learning, and the people and organisations who support them. It should also remind us that literacy is a lifelong responsibility. A more literate Wales depends on ensuring that nobody’s opportunity to learn expires when they turn 16.

Kathryn Robson, Chief Executive