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Over 60 pupils in public primary schools in Anambra state have commenced free training programme on development of reading culture among children.
The training exercise, organized by Mama Bee Book Club involved two schools in Awka, Udozo Memorial Primary school and Amenyi Community Primary school.
Executive Director, David Bassey said the vision of the reading and book club is to build the capital and potentials inherent in every child in the Southeast.
He said the two schools chosen in the maiden edition was to serve as pilot scheme to test run the effectiveness of the exercise and to make necessary adjustments in subsequent editions.
According to him, each child is expected to read a book every month and two Saturdays of the month after which their knowledge of the books would be accessed through book review manual mechanism.
He said, “In a time when the world is digitally distracted, with corresponding decline in reading culture, we’re determined to get the children hooked up to books early or we risk losing them later when technology completely takes over.
“We’re flagging off this maiden edition with two public schools, Udozo Memorial Primary School and Amenyi Community Primary School, 30 pupils between classes 4-6 from each school.
“Our goal is to inculcate the culture of reading early which is one of best and effective ways to prepare them for the future. It’s our own way of growing the human capital of people of the Southeast.”
Reacting to how the training is being funded, Bassey said, “the project is self sponsored. I told myself, if you believe in something, then invest your resources into it. So I have to commit my savings into this.
“The resource persons drawn from the participating schools are being remunerated for sacrificing their time to teach. We also hired buses that conveyed the kids to and fro venue of the exercise.
“We also provided them with snacks for refreshments as well as books they’re practicing with. However, we’re looking for sponsorship from spirited individuals to support what we’re doing.”
Bassey further disclosed another version of the exercise where parents and guardians as well as families are to subscribe for their children and wards.
“While we have the social impact version for the benefit of public Primary Schools whose parents may not be able to afford the private subscription program, another version is available for families to subscribe monthly for their children.
“This is going to take off next month. We’re only starting this maiden edition with this set to create awareness,” he added.
One of the resource persons, Stella Okonkwo, a teacher in Udozo, said she joined the team due to her passion for education.
“I’ve been a lover of education and I’m interested in overall wellbeing of the children. When I heard about the programme, I became interested because I studied Childhood Psychology,” she said.
Okonkwo urged other colleagues to identify with the group, citing former governor of the state, Mr Peter Obi’s quote, “A society you neglect today will take revenge on our children tomorrow”
“In a generation everyone is investing time in their phones, television, nobody is interested in books. But seeing a group interested in promoting reading culture is a win-win for the state and Nigeria at large,” she added.
