800 take part in 10-min reading event
MIRI: About 800 students from SK Tudan here participated in the nationwide ‘ Jom Baca Bersama untuk 10 Minit’ ( Let’s Read Together for 10 Minutes) programme held at the school yesterday.
The programme by Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri was coorganised with Miri Local Agenda 21 (LA21).
Among the highlights of the event yesterday was when the participants comprising Primary 4, 5 and 6 students, commenced reading together at 11am for 10 minutes.
Apart from the 10-minute reading session, there was also a talk on literacy skills by Mohd Khadzrie Ramzie Faizal from Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri, the making of organic compost during the ‘ From Garbage to Garden’ talk by Richard Lejau of LA21, an ‘Action Song’ and a storytelling presentation by students of SK Tudan.
The event was graced by councillor Aries Leong representing Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting.
Also present was Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Miri regional manager Salina Zawawi, LA21 officer Justine Ulok Gana and SK Tudan co- curriculum senior officer Mustapha Hashim.
Ting, in his speech read out by Leong, said reading helps motivate people and everything that one needs to know, be it about the past of future, can be found through reading.
“We can explore the world and the universe through books without having to travel anywhere and therefore, reading habits need to be nurtured and encouraged in each of our kids from the time they begin learning the alphabet, and not only when they go to school.
“Let us not be obsessed with gadgets, social media for entertainment or gossip. Let us continue together to nurture the reading habit in our minds, be it with physical books or digitally,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mirians Raymond Sain from Lutong, Ariffin Mohamad from Piasau and Rita Sahara Othman from Bekenu won the first, third and consolation prizes respectively in the 2016 Home Library competition ( Pertandingan Perpustakaan Keluarga 2016) organised by Pustaka Negeri Sarawak which was held for three months from May 15, 2016 to Aug 15, 2016.
Augustus Umpie from Kuching was placed second.
Raymond received RM1,000 cash and a certificate while Ariffin and Rita Sahara received certificates and RM500 and RM100 respectively during the reading programme at SK Tudan.
The event was held in conjunction with World Book and Copyright Day which is marked by public libraries throughout Malaysia and is carried out every year as continued efforts to cultivate a reading society.
The concept of the event is inspired by the celebration of Earth Hour.
All participants regardless of what they are doing, would pause and read for 10 minutes at the same time, nationwide.