Revive the reading culture in Uganda
Apr 19, 2011
I wish to agree with many that the reading culture in Uganda is very poor.
I wish to agree with many that the reading culture in Uganda is very poor.
Reading is one of the most important skills a person should have. Practically, there is no job today that does not require reading. Therefore, it is our responsibility as teachers and parents to promote the reading culture in our children.
We can do this by providing a variety of reading materials to children both at school and at home. It is believed that access to more books can lead to language and literacy development.
These reading materials should arouse the children’s passion for reading. They should have interesting topics, simple grammar and vocabulary in order to instil a love of reading. This love cannot be forced upon anyone, instead, it can be nurtured.
When I was young, legends were told during our leisure time, which aroused our desire to read. In the same way, we have interesting books, magazines, novels and newspapers in our libraries and bookshops. These could serve as a start to arouse interest in reading. Teachers should introduce these reading materials to children in an interesting way. It could be in form of a competition or fun, where good readers are rewarded.
Also, group activities can develop the reading habits among children.
Parents and teachers should serve as models by reading and valuing reading materials. In that way, children will emulate them, thus promoting the reading culture.
Most children today would rather watch TV, play games on the computer and access facebook rather than read a good book. Try introducing books and other reading materials in an attractive way against your computer and TV. This will make reading for children even much more interesting.
Mugarura Emmanuel,
Teacher
Namagunga Boarding Primary School
e_mugarura@yahoo.com
Reading is one of the most important skills a person should have. Practically, there is no job today that does not require reading. Therefore, it is our responsibility as teachers and parents to promote the reading culture in our children.
We can do this by providing a variety of reading materials to children both at school and at home. It is believed that access to more books can lead to language and literacy development.
These reading materials should arouse the children’s passion for reading. They should have interesting topics, simple grammar and vocabulary in order to instil a love of reading. This love cannot be forced upon anyone, instead, it can be nurtured.
When I was young, legends were told during our leisure time, which aroused our desire to read. In the same way, we have interesting books, magazines, novels and newspapers in our libraries and bookshops. These could serve as a start to arouse interest in reading. Teachers should introduce these reading materials to children in an interesting way. It could be in form of a competition or fun, where good readers are rewarded.
Also, group activities can develop the reading habits among children.
Parents and teachers should serve as models by reading and valuing reading materials. In that way, children will emulate them, thus promoting the reading culture.
Most children today would rather watch TV, play games on the computer and access facebook rather than read a good book. Try introducing books and other reading materials in an attractive way against your computer and TV. This will make reading for children even much more interesting.
Mugarura Emmanuel,
Teacher
Namagunga Boarding Primary School
e_mugarura@yahoo.com