• Education

Reading ­expands your ­knowledge

The month of September is known for reading in the education and library services sectors and the Hardap Region this year hosted the regional readathon that goes along with the month in Aranos. The region has developed a reading culture and this year, came up with various activities to instil the love of reading in the community, as well as in learners.

At the readathon event, Sagarias Haksteen, the region's administrative control officer for the education ministry, outlined that the creation of a reading culture is dependent on the leadership of principals. He was speaking on behalf of constituency councillor Jan Jarson.

He asked thought-provoking questions, including what is on the door of the principal's office, to encourage reading in learners? He asked the same of classroom doors.

He urged teachers and parents to direct children to the available libraries, most of which are close to schools, to encourage them to become members and start reading.

Haksteen also wanted to know whether there are reading competitions taking place in school to encourage reading and develop a culture of reading, and asked the school staff how they are encouraging reading to parents during relevant meetings.

He added it is high time that principals take responsibility and invest in instructional leadership and lead by example, as “then only we will create a reading culture in the region”.

He applauded the lifelong learning division under the leadership of Aletta Eises, the deputy director for education in the region, for doing their part in terms of reading culture development, and in particular, for bringing the readathon to Aranos.

Eises outlined the mandate and the function of library services nationally as well as in the region and urged the learners to read.

“We all should bring our side,” she said.

She indicated that our national goals like NDP4, Vision 2030 and the education ministry's strategies are navigating learners, teachers and stakeholders towards a knowledge-based society.

She also urged teachers to study the sustainable development goals and find ways how to contribute, as a school, toward national development through quality teaching and critical thinking skills development.

The theme for this year was befitting as it was directed to not only brightening futures but also, saving power.

Reading is important as it can enhance your future. Reading provides broad-based knowledge or escape, depending on what you read. But for schoolwork, reading is very important for general knowledge. Reading provides the skills of critical thinking and it develops great language skills too.