Education
A coalition of Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) on Saturday distributed books to children as part of efforts to promote literacy among children in Kaduna State.
The event was being organised in collaboration between Tanar Educational Consultancy, Nasta Foni, Wonder Woman Nigeria and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Initiative.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the books were distributed to the children after a walk tagged: “Walk for Literacy”.
The walk started from Karji Junction along Patrick Yakowa Way, and end at Local Education Authority Primary School, Karji in Kaduna.
The exercise is designed to sensitise residents on the importance of literacy.
Mr Namse Udosen, Founder, Tanar Educational Consultancy, said the event was part of activities to commemorate the 2022 International Literacy Day.
According to him, this year’s celebration with the theme: “Transforming Literacy Learning Spaces; will create awareness on the importance of literacy and the need to transform learning spaces.
He said it aimed at advocating for inclusive education for all and the need for communities to be more proactive in developing a literate society.
Udosen urged the Federal and Kaduna State Government to develop a Literacy Development Plan to improve the literacy rate, especially school children.
“We distributed the books because of their importance to literacy development, by boosting intelligence and memory capacity, information, knowledge and inspiring people to follow their dream.
“Books also create questions, questions create curiosity, curiosity leads to research, research provides answers and answers lead to knowledge.
“As such, parents and relevant stakeholders should support ongoing efforts to transform literacy learning spaces for children, to learn and bring their imagination to reality,” he said.
Earlier at the Palace of the Village Head of Karji, Mr Ibrahim Yusuf, Udosen urged community leaders to support in creating learning spaces for children.
“Education started from the home to community and then the school. Family and community participation is critical to educational development of children.
“Households and community members should get involved in the educational development of all children, so that they will grow and become good at whatever they choose to do.
“Just as parents, community leaders have a role to play in supporting the school system, to create safe learning spaces for children to learn and grow to their full potential,” he said.
Responding, Yusuf commended the gesture, adding that it would mobilise parents, caregivers, and community members to support educational growth and development of children.
He called on other organisations to support the noble course, by assisting communities in providing the needed learning spaces and materials, for children to learn with ease.
Also speaking, Ms Baboshiya James, Head Teacher, Local Education Authority Primary School, Karji, said the books would fast track the learning abilities of children.
A primary two pupil in the school, Japhet Friday said: “I never had a book before except the ones we use in school. This is the first time I have a book of my own that I can read at home.
“I am still struggling to read, but I am sure with this book, I will learn faster because I will be reading it at home.”
Another pupil, Christabel Danjuma expressed joy that she also got a book she would be reading at home, saying, the book looked interesting and looked forward to reading it at home.
NAN reports that the International Literacy Day is being celebrated on Sept. 8, to remind the public of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights.
The celebration also provides the opportunity to advance the literacy agenda toward a more literate and sustainable society. (NAN)
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Tags: Ibrahim Yusuf Namse Udosen
