BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE Ministry of Youth Empowerment has embarked on a programme called “For The Love Of Reading” in an effort to encourage the habit of reading among primary school children throughout the island of St. Kitts.
On Saturday (Feb. 2), the initiative got under way at the Bronte Welsh Primary School in Boyd’s Village, where approximately two dozen students of that learning institution were present and were educated on the importance of reading.
The students were asked to be in pairs and choose a book of their choice, based on their age range, and read the book amongst themselves.
Hazel Jeffers, a teacher by profession and one of the coordinators of the programme, encouraged the students to read something every day and was also happy with the children's turnout.
Jeffers also taught the young readers a new chant, “Reading in fun do the DOR - Drop Open Read on”, which was well accepted by the children who did not wish to stop singing it.
Minister of Youth Empowerment, the Hon. Glen Phillip explained the importance of reading to the children, citing that if one could not read one would not be able to take advantage of the advances in technology.
Phillip added that if one does not know how to read one would have difficulty in school, as one would not understand what is being taught by the teachers.
He also said, “Today is the start of your love for reading.”
The students were then divided into three different groups for a story telling session, during which the eldest child in each group read to Minister Phillip.
At the end of the session, the students were encouraged to join the Public Library and were promised gifts should they become members.
Bronte Welsh Primary is the first of a number of schools targeted for the project and the next one will be in Challengers Village, scheduled for this coming weekend.
