AN AWARDS ceremony was held yesterday, for the winners and other participants in the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD) 19th Annual Reading Competition.
All of the children and teachers from the 16 schools who took part attended and were treated to a cultural display of poetry and dance, at NCERD headquarters in Kingston, Georgetown.
It followed two weeks of intense rivalry amongst primary school pupils from which Vreed-en-Hoop Primary emerged champion.
The contest was co-sponsored, this year, by Demerara Lioness  Lions Club (DLLC), District 60-A Chapter. Its President, Ms. Maxine Manbodh said the event, has grown from strength to strength over the years.
Delivering the feature address, Zone Chairperson, District 60-A, Ms. Debra Mc Nichol, noted that a tremendous amount of time and effort were invested in the competition, which plays an integral role in the development of the children’s reading skills.
She said:“Reading is very important, especially as it relates to your development as students. It will help them to get from one level to another.”
Mc Nichol encouraged all the children present to continue  reading as much as possible and support their friends and family members to do the same.
“Keep doing what you are doing… keep reading but remember to stay away from material which will negatively influence you,” she advised.
Mc Nichol extended special congratulations to the participants from Vreed-en- Hoop Primary and admonished them to work harder next year, in order to defend their titles.
NCERD Coordinator and Curriculum Development Officer, Ms. Sandra Persaud, who was chief judge, congratulated all of the brave students who travelled from areas across the country to compete for the top position.
“I want to say to all of you that you did an excellent job and, even though only one school emerged as the champion, you are all winners today,” she said.

MAIN AIMS

Persaud said one of the main aims of the competition was to aid in the development of the reading skills of   grade five students selected from schools in Regions Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), Four (Demerara/Mahaica), Five (Mahaica/Berbice ) and Six (East Berbice/Corentyne ).
She explained: “Being in this competition will, definitely, help the students and I can say that they have benefitted tremendously since you have all become bolder and better as you continued to read.”
Persaud also conveyed gratitude to the regional education officers, the headteachers and all  members of the DLLC District 60-A who have contributed to the success of the contest.
Several of the excited participants said they were happy to be chosen to compete and it afforded them the opportunity to make new friends while improving their reading skills.
“I was very nervous when I started, but I am happy that we did well and won the competition,” said Tara Ganesh, of Vreed-en-Hoop Primary.
Fellow competitor Alex Campbell, from Timehri Primary, agreed that the competition aided his reading capability.
“It was fun for me and, after the first time, I felt better about reading in front of everyone,” he admitted.
In addition to rewarding the winners, the other participants and teachers from the various schools were also presented with tokens of appreciation by  members of the DLLC.
In closing remarks, DLLC Chairperson of the Education and Youth Committee, Mrs. Cindy Bovell, declared that the real heroes of the competition are the students and teachers who made it a success by participating.