As the world marks International Literacy Day 2026 under the theme, “Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity,” Heirs Energies has highlighted measurable gains from its investment in foundational learning in its host communities in Rivers State.

The energy company, in partnership with the World Literacy Foundation, launched the Sun Books Digital Literacy Initiative in September 2025 across two public primary schools in the state.

Ad >>>

After nine months of structured programme delivery, the initiative has supported more than 500 learners and trained 27 teachers in literacy instruction, classroom management and assessment.

The programme has also expanded access to offline-first, curriculum-aligned digital learning and established solar-powered learning infrastructure to ensure continued access to educational resources.

The company said the intervention had produced significant improvements in pupils’ literacy outcomes.

At the commencement of the programme, fewer than half of the assessed pupils achieved the minimum literacy benchmark. By the end of the intervention, however, nearly nine in 10 pupils had attained the benchmark, with 87 per cent recorded at Central State Primary School, Igwuruta, and 86 per cent at State Primary School, Umuebulu.

Heirs Energies said the results demonstrated the potential of combining technology, teacher capacity development and sustainable infrastructure with targeted interventions to improve foundational learning.

The company said the initiative formed part of its broader commitment to supporting sustainable development in its host communities by expanding access to quality education and equipping young people with the knowledge and confidence needed to contribute to Africa’s future.

“As we commemorate International Literacy Day, we reaffirm our commitment to investing in initiatives that expand access to quality education, strengthen our host communities and equip the next generation with the knowledge and confidence to shape Africa’s future,” the company said.

It added: “Literacy for people. Literacy for the planet. Literacy for prosperity.”