THE curtain came down yesterday on the University of Guyana (UG) Library’s ninth annual “Reading is Fun” programme when participants were presented with certificates and prizes in the university’s library on its Turkeyen Campus.

The programme, sponsored by Courts Guyana Incorporated, started on July 30 and came to an end yesterday.
Coordinator of the “Reading is Fun” programme, Ms. Carol Parris, explained that it catered for some 75 children, ranging from ages seven to 13, from the Sophia, Greater Georgetown area.
She said that 68 children attended the sessions regularly, and they were held from 09:00 to 12:00hrs on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays for three weeks.
Parris noted that the programme was fully sponsored by Courts Guyana Inc., which had presented a $570,000 cheque to Deputy Vice Chancellor Mr. Phillip DaSilva on behalf of the UG library.
This money, she advised, was used to provide snacks, teaching materials, books and special prizes for the children, to fund a tour to the Enmore Martyrs Monument site, and for honorarium for the teachers.
Parris related that this year’s programme was themed “Learn to read so that you can read to learn”, and included planned activities such as phonics, story-telling, reading for enjoyment and comprehension, spelling, poetry, and an anaemia health test, which was done as a part of the programme for the first time, and which was facilitated by the Lions group of Durban Park.
She pointed out that the objectives of the programme were to introduce basic reading and to instill writing and poetry skills to improve the performance level of students.
The programme was facilitated by the UG library, lecturers and students from the School of Education and Humanities.
Meanwhile, Mr. DaSilva said that he was pleased the collaboration between the university and Courts Guyana Inc. has continued, allowing this very important programme to continue.
According to DaSilva, studies have consistently shown a strong link between reading and children’s educational development and their academic and future success.
“The University of Guyana reading programme encourages children to read and to read all year round, and I do hope that you are challenged to continuously gather new ideas so that you can achieve your hopes and realise your dreams,” he said to the participants.
He noted that programmes of this nature have always been good for all involved, and as such he urged the participating children to “read every and anything you can get your hands on”.
DaSilva further thanked the parents who were in attendance for recognising the value of the programme and for allowing and facilitating their children to participate. He urged them to continue to encourage their children to read at home as well.
“The programme may be finished, but learning continues,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, Marketing Director of Courts Guyana Inc., Mr. Purnell Cummings, noted that this is the fourth year that Courts has sponsored the programme.
He noted that the company sees the value and importance of such a programme and assured that it will continue to sponsor it.
Cummings encouraged the children to continue reading, while also appealing to the parents to continue the work that the programme has started.
Certificates and prizes were distributed to the participants of the “Reading is Fun” programme by first, second and third place performers at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), Ms. Salma Majeed, Mr. Christian Pile and Mr. Navindra Persaud, respectively, who also shared thoughts and tips on their successes with the participants.