ILLITERACY remains a global problem despite progress made over the years.
According to the Unesco Institute for Statistics, at least 763 million adults around the world still cannot read and write.
In view of this, the English Speaking Union of Malaysia (ESUM) and Taylor’s College have made literacy promotion the central focus of the recently launched ESUM-Taylor’s Essay Writing Competition 2023.
Themed “Promoting literacy for a world in transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies”, the competition was launched at Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus in Selangor on Oct 30.
It is open to Malaysian students from public and private schools and institutions of higher learning.
The theme, according to a press release, is based on a proclamation by Unesco in 1966 “to remind the public of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights”.
This is the first time ESUM and Taylor’s College are collaborating to organise the annual competition. In previous years, the competition was solely organised by ESUM.
This came following their successful collaboration in organising a public speaking competition early this year from which the national champion subsequently represented Malaysia in London, United Kingdom, at the international final.
For the first time too, the essay writing competition allows participants to come up with their own essay topics based on the theme, and offers consolation prizes.
In her speech, Taylor’s College campus director Josephine Tan said the competition supports the institution’s cause and serves to enhance critical thinking and persuasion skills among the youth.
“Taylor’s believes that education must help students pursue their passion and purpose, and make an impact on communities and industries,” she said.
ESUM chairman Tunku Dara Tunku Tan Sri Naquiah Almarhum Tuanku Jaafar said the competition is one of the union’s activities to help students enhance their writing skill leading towards high proficiency in the English language.
“Many Malaysians can speak English easily but cannot write well. To communicate properly, we don’t just need to speak it, but to also write properly to be able to deliver our message.
“Since English is the language of the world, we should master it,” she said.
Essay Writing Competition
Submit entries by Nov 30
> ESUM is teaming up with Taylor’s College to host the ESUM-Taylor’s Essay Writing Competition 2023.
> Theme of the competition: “Promoting literacy for a world in transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies”
> Participants aged 13 to 18 are to come up with their essays based on the theme.
> Two categories: Category A is for those aged between 16 and 18, and the essay length is 800 to 1,000 words; Category B is for those aged between 13 and 15, and the essay length is 700 to 800 words.
> Cash prizes: Category A (first prize RM1,000; second prize RM800; third prize RM500; two consolation prizes RM250 each); Category B (first prize RM800; second prize RM500; third prize RM300; two consolation prizes RM150 each)
Details: Visit https:// tinyurl.com/esutaylors essaywritingcomp2023
