…for improving literacy levels
WITH the primary aim of rekindling a love for reading among Guyanese, the National Library, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, launched a Reading club last Friday in the library’s conference room on Church Street.
This initiative is intended to develop reading and comprehension skills, and will be used as an education tool for the improvement of literacy levels.
In her address at the launching, Deputy Chief Education Officer (Development), Ms. Bibi Alli, emphasized that reading is an essential tool to empowering individuals to be productive.
According to Alli, the need to be literate has never been more crucial than at this time, when the world is developing at a rapid pace.

“There are new discoveries, technologies, industries, partnerships, alliances, and all kinds of changes which all create the opportunity and requirements for reading skills,” she explained.
She observed that many Guyanese still do not function at acceptable literacy levels, a fact which leads to many becoming dysfunctional members of society.
“Literacy is critical to prosperity, productivity, the social fabric, and success of any country, as it contributes to the success of individuals and their sense of personal pride and fulfillment,” she observed.
And, “The Ministry of Education has recognized that solid literacy skills are crucial to success in this internationally competitive economy.”
The ministry created literacy units over the past two years, one of them being the Fast Track Literacy initiative which was launched in 2008, in an effort to target youths in and out of school.
“We are thinking about the whole society and the ministry is offering these programmes free.”
Also, there are reading clubs established in many schools across the country, with special attention being paid to low performance schools.
Guests at the launching, many of whom were educators, and members of the club, were regaled with readings of poetry and prose along  with dances that promoted the theme of the event, “When we Read, we Learn.”
Chairman of the proceedings, Petamber Persaud, pointed out that everyone present was joined by a common bond, which is, a passion to improve literacy through reading.
He said, “Reading can do so much; it elucidates, empowers, inspires and opens a world of possibilities.”
The official observance was followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony to signal the opening of the National Library’s Reading Club which comprises five categories of members who will meet fortnightly.