Salomon_Kalmanovitz

Colombian educator and founder of the National Literacy Campaign, transforming education in Latin America.

Salomón Kalmanovitz (1890–1974) was a visionary Colombian educator who revolutionized literacy and education across Latin America. Born to Jewish immigrants in Bogotá, he championed universal education as a tool for social justice. In 1930, he founded the National Literacy Campaign (Campaña Nacional de Alfabetización), a grassroots initiative that taught over 1 million Colombians to read and write within a decade. His methods, emphasizing community engagement and practical learning, became a model for literacy programs worldwide.

Kalmanovitz’s influence extended beyond Colombia. He advised governments in Peru, Ecuador, and Mexico on education reforms, advocating for free public schooling and teacher training. His 1943 book La Educación Como Arma (Amazon) argued that education was essential for dismantling poverty and inequality. In 1954, he co-founded the National Pedagogical University, Colombia’s premier teacher training institution.

Despite facing political opposition, Kalmanovitz’s legacy endures in Colombia’s constitutional mandate for universal education (1991) and UNESCO’s recognition of his work. His advocacy for education as a human right continues to inspire global efforts to combat illiteracy (Wikipedia).