September 8 marks UNESCO's International Literacy Day, a moment to celebrate global progress in literacy and reflect on how it continues to evolve in the digital era. It also highlights the importance of improving access to high-quality education. According to UNESCO, around 739 million young people and adults worldwide lack basic literacy skills, and four in ten children are not reaching minimum proficiency in reading (2024). This is a powerful reminder that, far beyond the ability to read and write, literacy is a fundamental human right and a key pillar for building a more inclusive society, especially in a context where digitalisation has added new layers of complexity, challenges and opportunities. 
 
To reflect on this topic and how we can think about literacy today, we spoke with Jonna Malaska, Concept Lead for Finnish language and literature at our learning company Sanoma Pro. Jonna leads the development of learning material concepts for primary education, working closely with teachers, internal experts and external collaborators to create high-quality resources that support both teaching and learning. Passionate about literacy and reading engagement, she also leads the team of publishing editors for Finnish language and literature. 
 
For Jonna, literacy is a gateway to understanding the world, expressing oneself and participating fully in society. With digitalisation changing how we learn and interact, the definition of literacy expands to cover critical thinking, media literacy and digital education. 

“As our world becomes more digital, literacy evolves to include the ability to engage with diverse formats, and platforms and to navigate in complex information environments. We all need to be able to read not only books but also websites, apps, interactive and other digital content – and to do so safely, critically and responsibly”, she states.



To dive into the topic, check the full interview below:  
  
SL: This year's International Literacy Day focuses on the theme "Promoting literacy in the digital era".  In which ways digitalisation has been changing the way our kids learn? 
 
Jonna: Digitalisation has transformed learning into a more interactive, personalised and accessible experience. Pupils can now engage with content in formats that suit their individual needs. It also promotes more inclusive learning. Digital tools can support students with different learning styles or language backgrounds, and offer real-time feedback, for example. However, digitalisation also requires strong guidance to ensure that pupils develop the skills needed to navigate digital environments effectively. 
  
SL: What is the relevance of both traditional and digital literacy? How can they complement each other? 
 
Jonna: Both traditional and digital literacy are essential in today’s learning environment. Traditional literacy builds foundational skills – reading, writing and comprehension – and forms the basis for all learning. Digital literacy adds layers of complexity, such as evaluating sources, understanding algorithms and communicating in digital spaces. 
 
Together, they form a complete skill set. A pupil might read a printed article and then research related topics online or write a text by hand and later transform it into a multimedia presentation. These complementary skills support critical thinking and prepare pupils for lifelong learning. 
 
SL: AI is now a reality in learning. How can AI literacy help students and teachers to use the technology in a responsible, critical way? 
 
Jonna: For both teachers and pupils, it is important to understand what AI can and cannot do, and how to use it ethically. For students, this means recognising bias in algorithms, critically evaluating AI-generated content and using AI tools to support thinking, not to replace it. 
  
For teachers, AI literacy helps in selecting appropriate tools, guiding pupils in responsible use and facilitating critical discussions about technology. It is not just about using AI, but about understanding its impact and making informed, responsible decisions. 
  
SL: From our European Teacher Survey 2025, teachers indicated a high preference for blended learning. In which ways a balancing traditional and digital solutions can better support learning outcomes? 
  
Jonna: Blended learning offers the best of both worlds. Printed materials provide structure and focus, while digital tools offer interactivity, instant feedback and personalisation. Modern digital and printed materials both encourage interaction and action-based learning. 
 
Finnish teachers especially appreciate our digital teacher’s presentation material, which provides content and help for every phase of teaching – from planning and differentiating to each step of a lesson, including warm-up activities, introducing new topics, and practicing together. It frees up teachers’ time for meaningful interactions with pupils, such as offering support to those who need it most. All of this contributes positively to the learning experience and outcomes. 
 
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Find out more about UNESCO’s International Literacy Day: https://www.unesco.org/en/days/literacy  
Learn more about our approach to blended learning and AI in education: https://www.sanomalearning.com/en/