In order to cultivate reading habits, create a reading culture, and improve students’ abilities and the kingdom’s manpower resources, the Government has designated March 11th as National Reading Day. To foster a culture of reading and lifelong learning, experts say the habits need to be instilled as early as possible.
Under government policy, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports has been marking National Reading Day every year since 2016 and holding reading, poetry recitals and essay competitions. All winners will receive the Samdec Techo Hun Sen Educational Award.
This year’s event, now in its seventh year, was celebrated under the theme “Reading Helps Improve Quality of Life in the Digital Age”.
The day aims to contribute to the protection and enhancement of Khmer culture and civilization, the maintenance of the values of human heritage, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals to ensure equal, inclusive and quality education. is focused on
Ministry of Education spokesman Ros Soveacha urged the promotion of reading in the curriculum at all levels, especially in first grade reading programs and elementary math classes.
“We provide library services in both schools and mobile libraries, as well as promote reading everywhere,” he said.
He added that many academics and people who read books purely for pleasure read through a variety of media, from traditional books to computers, smartphones and even social media, through applications such as Telegram. I was.
“We are proud to drive the evolution of the 21st century library,” he continued.
Soveacha said 4,148 primary school libraries will be in use across the country in 2021-2022, with 708 in secondary schools and 525 in high schools.
He said the government set the date in a September 2015 decree. Additionally, the government issued Circular 2 in celebration of his National Reading Day in February 2019, reflecting changes in available technology.
Ho Sohak, Literacy Director of Room to Read Cambodia, said reading is very important, especially for children in the first and second grades.
“If we don’t help children in first or second grade learn how to read, the rest of their lives won’t be as fulfilling as they should be. We need to be ready to adopt reading in order to let go,” he added.
This fundamental skill is becoming increasingly important as the direction of 21st century education pivots toward promoting lifelong learning.
Since 2003, Room to Read said it has helped more than 2 million children read and write and has installed 2,121 standard libraries in schools across Cambodia. The organization is currently working to promote literacy in over 200 schools.
He found that during the Covid-19 pandemic, while schools were temporarily closed, Room to Read collected data on students who borrowed books from the library, with each student borrowing an average of 4.2 books. I found that I had returned it.
His organization has designed and published 350 books designed to encourage children to read, he said. They were included in the curriculum of the Ministry of Education.
Room to Read also worked with the department to increase literacy rates by preparing additional reading packages. The ministry is now integrating these programs into schools in the capital and 17 provinces.
Bunna So Sihaned, senior director of Room to Read’s girls’ education program, said two major activities were carried out to promote children’s literacy. The focus of the first activity was to identify children who attempted to read and draw knowledge from libraries and online systems while collating important documents from organizational officials.The second was student team leaders. It was to promote the study club with The leader was expected to find a suitable source of material for her members of the team.
“These two activities, especially the students selected as team leaders, encourage children to read and research more,” she added.
Khlot Vibolla, Director of the National Library and Deputy Director of the Department of Books and Reading at the Ministry of Culture and Arts, says reading is very important. Otherwise, the government and the Ministry of Education would not have put much resources into setting up libraries in schools and colleges.
“Reading is essential for people of all ages, from infants to the elderly. Focus on your smartphone and don’t forget to read,” she added.
Heng Udom, a student studying in France who also enjoys reading, said reading is sometimes not as fun as hanging out or meeting friends, but reading offers young people many possibilities and opportunities. rice field.
“Reading is not considered as enjoyable as drinking. It is clear that if you have time to drink and socialize, you have time to read. We need to expand our knowledge about the world around us and one of the best ways to do this is reading,” he added.
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