Reading Carnival Launched
By P Marilyn

Bandar Seri Begawan - A reading Carnival was launched at Masin Secondary School yesterday in line with efforts to emphasise the importance of inculcating a reading habit in students and as a follow-up to Ministry of Education guidelines that were distributed to primary and secondary schools earlier in July.

Carrying the theme "Reading Expands the Mind", the three-day carnival is open to the public until September 16. One of the highlights of the carnival is an exhibition showcasing reading programmes by 29 participating schools, including primary and secondary schools, government colleges and private educational institutions throughout the nation. Ten exemplary school libraries and five book vendors are also taking part in the event.

Guest of honour at the launch was Minister of Education, Pehin Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abdul Rahman.

In his speech, he said the theme of the carnival reflects the development of the mind of an individual who likes to read.

He added that to reinforce and expand the reading habit and culture, the Ministry of Education came up with a Reading Programme Guideline for schools throughout the nation early this year. The guidelines recommended various activities to increase students' interests in reading according to suitability and needs of respective students.

Meanwhile, Director of Schools, Ministry of Education, Dr Haji Mahali bin Momin, in his welcoming speech said the Reading Carnival is one of the initiatives of the Steering Committee of the Reading Programme under the Ministry of Education.

It aims to instil awareness in students and the public on the importance and benefits of reading in the era of information and communication technology.

The carnival also hopes to showcase strategies or activities to stimulate children's interests in reading and to promote awareness on available reading materials and their sources.

At the same time, it aims to showcase existing reading programmes in schools and exemplary libraries while promoting awareness on the role of libraries and librarians in reading.

During the event, several books were donated in support of the Reading Carnival. The donations were from the High Commission of Canada, High Commission of India, Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, Embassy of Japan, Embassy of the Republic of Korea, High Commission of Malaysia, High Commission of the Republic of Singapore, Embassy of the United States of America, Standard Chartered Bank, Brunei Press Sdn Bhd and from wives of ministers and deputy ministers, wives of private and confidential secretaries of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei, wives of permanent secretaries and deputy permanent secretaries and other members.

Syarikat Kejuruteraan Sistematik Sdn Bhd also donated $500 cash for the event.

The Reading Carnival is a continuous effort of the Ministry of Education in promoting reading in schools through appropriate and sustained programmes.

By showcasing various reading programmes carried out in several schools, teachers and school leaders will get a better picture of the possibilities of implementing or expanding reading programmes in their own schools.

The exhibition of relevant reading material by book vendors will also provide an awareness of the availability of material necessary for the success of reading programmes. In addition, this will enable schools to develop a wider base for networking and professional sharing or development in reading.  -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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