Investing in literacy
IT Is encouraging to know that more than 120 students of Bau District School will benefit from more than $10,000 worth of library books given by the Australian High Commission.
The Commission’s Acting Counselor for Human Development, Fluer Calcut, said they were proud to work with the Ministry of Education under the Vuvale partnership to achieve the objectives of ensuring schoolchildren in Fiji have access to quality library services.
The school was the third recipient under its library project, with 90 others still in the pipeline.
With the literacy rate in the country not quite up to expectation and standards, providing books to schools should be applauded and encouraged. There is the bit about us fostering a love for reading, nurturing critical thinking and effective communication skills. Then there is the bit about appreciating the richness and depth of expression.
Reading is important and is part of our development.
Unfortunately, one of the consequences of this lack of reading is the texting language creeping into our writing.
It is not something new at all to be reading written material coming in with texting language for starters. Because for instance, has shortened to ‘becoz’! And has become ‘n’! Please has become ‘pliz’! And the list goes on.
Do we want to encourage proper language use and nurture an appreciation of the written word?
So in this day and age, it is a pleasant thing to see such activity still happening. Libraries are still stacked with reading material and hopefully they will assist students appreciate reading and why it is important for their future.
Life is like a book, brimming with lessons, and challenges!
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education
Viliame Gavoka, recognised the positive impact the initiative will have on Fijian children.
Headteacher Ilaitia Ratuwere acknowledged the significance of the donation in creating attractive and conducive learning spaces, especially for island schools like Bau.
The onus though is also on parents and guardians to encourage their young charges to read. Sometimes we just have to relook at ourselves, and habits we have developed, and see what we can do to change the status quo!
The donation serves as a reminder that education is an investment in the future. We say the initiative also reflects the importance of investing in literacy and creating conducive learning environments for young minds. In a world of evolving habits and trends, it is indeed a major challenge to change mindsets. The question is, do we have the will and the commitment to make that change though?