Pan African Literacy for All tackles reading culture at 10th annual conference
The 10th Pan African Literacy for All Conference 2017, saw many faces from within Nigeria and abroad gather at the Ladi Kwali Hall of the Sheraton Hotel in Abuja for a 4 day conference themed, “Connecting and Engaging with Literacies; Systems and Structures For Sustainable Development.”
The event organized by the Reading Association of Nigeria in collaboration with Code Africa, International Literacy Association, NEI Plus, the World Bank and the Federal Ministry of Education took place from the 27th to the 31st of August 2017 during which areas such as promoting reading culture through literacy development, capacity building, curriculum evaluation and providing reading materials to encourage the love for reading in the country.
The first presentation was by Prof Claudia Mitchell from the McGill University in Quebec, Canada where she presented her paper, “The Girl in the Text: Gender politics and constructing subjectivities through literacy.” She discussed linking the 3 themes of girls’ access to quality education, gender responsive teaching and access to reading textual materials that is gender responsive to engage critical social issues such as character and violence.
On the second day, Prof Robert Tierny of the University of British Columbia, Canada, also gave a paper presentation on the, “Rediscovering our worlds; Readers as situated participants, reflexive responders, respectful entrepreneurs, discerning critics, creative artists and cultural advocates.”
In his presentation he argued for the critical engagement and strategic development of learners and bringing breakthrough policies that will help students engage in literal strategies within and outside the school walls.
The final speaker was Prof Timothy O. Oyetunde from the University of Jos giving a presentation on, “Approaching teacher training and beginning reading instruction indifferently to help Nigerian primary school pupils learn to read and love to read.”
He examined the growing illiteracy within the school system and the poor methodology used to prepare teachers as the reason behind the reading crisis.
The conference provided an avenue for the attendees present to network and rub minds during the tea and lunch breaks.
Before the 4 days of the event ended, all the guests had left more educated than before on the prevailing rate of illiteracy and reading culture rooted both in Nigeria and other countries alike and how to go about putting an end to it. The conference concluded with a tour of the capital city before departure.
Some of the participants in the conference included Dr. Olatunde Adetoyese Adekola, the Senior Education Specialist with the World Bank Group, the chairman of the opening ceremony, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, Prof. Chukwuemeka Onukaogu, the Chairman Board of Trustees of the Reading Association of Nigeria, Mrs. Irene Chinwe Mbanefo, President of Reading Association of Nigeria, Margaret Wanijika Muthiga, Chairperson of the International Development Committee Africa and the Vice Chancellor of Veritas University Abuja, Professor Michael Kwanashie.