Books into homes
THE letter from Fergus Garrett (FT 17/24) should be a wake-up call for all those in the education field. That Marist receives Year 8 students who are unable to read a simple sentence or write the alphabet properly is tragic. This problem will surely not apply to Marist alone.
Dr Paul Geraghty has been writing about this situation for years — as have many others who are concerned about our methods and levels of education.
Tiny children are sponges; they soak up knowledge readily, and it is at that stage of their lives that we should be giving them all possible information – in their own language and in Fiji’s official language. This is difficult as we are a nation of several languages, but it is not an un-surmountable problem.
Another difficulty is the scarcity of books in most homes. Books are hard to find in Fiji, and they are expensive. Value City should be commended for stocking books at an affordable and fair price: but book buying is not a priority when so many are struggling to meet the expenses of bare necessities.
If parents do not read — they will not read to their children. So, those children grow up bookless and, in turn, do not read to their children. We must get out of this disastrous cycle. Obviously, until there are parents who read, and sufficient funds for books in homes, it is teachers who must bear the responsibility for literacy.
Above all, teachers must make learning fun! Teaching by rote is for parrots, not children. Every child needs to experience early that learning is enjoyable and exciting; and information is powerful
Just one literate generation is all that is needed to put books into homes.
SUE CAUTY
Pacific Harbour