It takes more than books
THE recent donation of books by the Australian Government for Fijian schools is all well and good but that alone won't solve Fiji's literacy problem. Another donation towards encouraging reading took place a few years back and many of those books were kept in unopened boxes under teachers’ desks. Why? The teachers wanted to keep them new. Nor was there any follow-up on their effectiveness for children’s ability to read and to any improvement to the country’s literacy levels. Will the same happen with these latest books?
What is fundamental to children being able to read is not to fill library shelves with books but to teach the children how to read in the first place. Teachers can begin this at kindergarten level so by the time the children enter grade one, they are reader-ready.
There is a culture of not allowing children to take books home else they will destroy them. Unless children are taught to care for books by both the teacher and at home, then that will happen. Children need to appreciate books both in school and have the opportunity to take them home, as well. In that way, parents can support children in the children’s literacy journey.
I have produced a handful of large books all with local content and large print suitable to be read at kindergartens around the country. I gave a sample to the person in-charge of government school libraries in the country and he said that he will give them to kindergarten libraries.
Government kindergartens do not have libraries. Besides, books are made to be read rather to than fill shelves.
My niece in Australia has requested for me to send her more of my books as she has read them repeatedly to her one-year-old son and it is not through abuse but use that they have worn out.
Books alone will not teach children to read; it takes readers to do that: their teachers, parents and their peers.
JULIE SUTHERLAND
Tamavua, Suva