Students across the Island celebrated International Literacy Day yesterday — with one school getting an extra special visitor to mark the occasion.

Football hero Shaun Goater dropped in on an assembly at Clearwater Middle School in St. David's to talk to children there about the importance of education, especially reading.

A video report of his surprise visit can be viewed at www.theroyalgazette.com. The former Manchester City striker, who is now president of Bermuda Hogges, waited outside the assembly hall as deputy principal Derek Tully finished reading a dramatic section of the footballer's autobiography.

As the children chanted the name of the book, Feed the Goat, Mr. Goater appeared — to shocked faces around the room. Dr. Tully said afterwards that his appearance had "made the day for everybody".

"We have been pushing this concept of reading and literacy throughout the summer," said the deputy principal, adding that children who joined the public library and checked out books during the holiday were awarded prizes.

"We thought why not focus on one of our own, somebody who grew up in Bermuda.

"Feed the Goat is one of the best books that we have ever seen and it's written so dramatically that you can put yourself in the book.

"Our children have enjoyed reading the book because of the prose and the style and the content of it."

He added that it was wonderful for pupils to meet Bermudians who had enjoyed international success. "We have got the 24 carat gold product right in front of us," he said.

Mr. Goater told The Royal Gazette he loved meeting local schoolchildren. "I'm extremely excited and thankful to the school for inviting me because I do get a lot of invitations but it's important that I get to schools such as Clearwater. It's important that I get to as many schools as possible."

He said his message to children was that they should concentrate at school — whatever their eventual goal.

"Not everyone that enjoys football is going to be a top professional. Their plan A should be education and plan B should be football."

Clearwater was one of a number of public and private schools which marked International Literacy Day yesterday. Bermuda Reading Association president Lana Talbot said: "The aim of International Literacy Day is to focus attention on the need to promote worldwide literacy."

She added: "It is very important that Bermuda prepares its children to become proficient readers.

"If Bermuda fails to prepare its children to become proficient readers, they will not be able to compete in this global economy.

"The Bermuda Reading Association believes that educating children to be literate is vital for them to take their rightful place in Bermuda's society."