NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL READING MONTH

CRISTOPHER C. ICMAT

The Department of Education (DepEd) is committed to provide quality, accessible, relevant and liberating basic education for all, and to lay the foundation for lifelong learning and service for the common good.

The Department shall spearhead the nationwide celebration of the 2018 National Reading Month (NRM) this November to promote love for reading, and to celebrate diversity of learners and culture through reading.

This year’s theme is “Pagbasa: Susi sa Magandang Kinabukasan.”

All schools and learning centers are enjoined to conduct activities for elementary and secondary learners. However, schools are also encouraged to hold the related activities other than those from the list in their respective schools divisions or schools.

The NRM shall culminate with the nationwide synchronized story reading time on November 27, 2015, 9:00 a.m. Philippine Standard Time (PST). November 27 of every year has been declared by RA 10556 as “Araw ng Pagbasa” which shall be a regular working holiday, to be celebrated in all elementary and secondary schools in the country.

Likewise, school administrators, division chiefs and other DepEd officials are directed to join the nationwide story reading before a group of learners in their own schools. Local government officials and other stakeholders may be invited to participate in this activity.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES FOR THE NATIONAL READING MONTH

Mystery Reader. A national kick-off activity where all schools administrators, Schools j Division Superintendents, and Regional Directors are directed to be mystery readers of a children’s Filipino story book during the school’s flag raising ceremony.

Literacy Buddies. This is a letter writing program. Each learner is matched with an older learner from the school. The buddies exchange weekly letters about the story that they have read for a month. At the end of the program, each literacy buddy shall meet and give each other a bookmark or an art work depicting one of the stories read.

Book Fair. Schools and other learning institutions shall organize a book fair that will showcase story books written by learners and teachers.

Reading Challenge. All teaching and non-teaching personnel of the Department are enjoined to read a book for a week for the month of November. A book sharing activity shall also be organized once a week to share the book read for the week.

#Shareabook. All learners, school administrators are encouraged to being a share their own story books for children. On the other hand, all teaching and non-teaching personnel and guests to DepEd conferences are likewise encouraged to share a story book. A drop box shall be displayed for such purpose. Books collected from this campaign shall be used in putting up a library corner among Temporary Learning Spaces.

Help a reader. Be a volunteer. Schools and learning centers shall invite parents and other community volunteers to help the non-readers and other learners with reading difficulties by adopting a child and help him succeed in reading.

Reading Family. A symposium for parents and guardian on the importance of reading to their children at home and on helping their children become successful readers.

Araw ng Pagbasa Challenge. On November 27, all learners, teachers, non-teaching personnel, school officials shall observe the nationwide synchronized reading at exactly 9:00 am Philippine Standard Time (PST).

Araw ng Pagbasa is a fitting culminating activity for the National Reading Month as it strives to promote reading and literacy by perpetuating our heritage and Filipino values through the stories of eminent Filipinos; therefore it is as much about reading as it is about hope. Araw ng Pagbasa, a day of learning, stories and hope.

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The author is Secondary School Teacher III/SDRRM at Duquit High School