MUTARE- Government through the Ministry of Primary and Secondary
Education has urged school heads to create a culture of reading books in their
pupils to improve their skills and enhance their education.
A reading culture should be valued, promoted and encouraged. The reading
culture in different African countries is low across all age groups.
Material deemed non-educational such as novels, magazines and newspapers
have minimal readership.
Research has shown that several reasons have been proffered for the poor
reading culture including lack of resources, library facilities, overcrowded
classrooms and lack of parental support.
A good reading culture enables pupils to read for comprehension for other
subjects, makes it easier to deepen understanding, improves vocabulary and
strengthens the brain.
Delivering a keynote address at the NAPH annual conference in Mutare last
week, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Torerayi Moyo said many
pupils were transitioning without basic literacy and numeracy competencies
which were essential in the learning process.
“The Ministry notes with concern that between 23 percent to 30 percent of
primary pupils transition into Grade 3 without basic literacy and numeracy
competencies. As such, all children should be able to read by age 10. Reading is
a gateway for learning as the child progresses through school, and conversely,
an inability to read slams that gate shut,” he said.
He noted the inability of children to read was a clear indication of disorganised
primary school systems which evidently poses learning challenges for pupils in
later grades.
He further stated that primary school heads were mandated to promote the
culture of reading in daily lessons for future benefits.
“Heads of Primary Schools are mandated with promoting a reading culture
involving incorporating storytelling, story book reading, group reading sessions,
and interactive language exercises into daily lessons. Promoting a reading
culture in primary schools yields numerous benefits.
“It not only enhances pupils’ performance but also nurtures critical thinking
skills, creativity, and empathy. Furthermore, cultivating a love for reading from
an early age lays the foundation for lifelong learning and intellectual growth,”
said Minister Moyo.
Government urged primary school educators to contribute to fostering a
generation of avid readers with strong literacy skills noting the need to do more
with regards to interventions on reading cultures.
“It is therefore pertinent that the Ministry focus on strengthening foundational
learning in order to mitigate the potential dilemma of illiteracy and innumeracy
as a learning poverty ingredient. More has to be done on interventions such as
Catch-Up strategies, blended learning and other related emergent response
teaching and learning initiatives,” added Minister Moyo.
