PRESS RELEASE - The Month of May is designated Reading Month in Saint Lucia, and to mark the annual observance, all schools on the island are encouraged to participate in the first annual Walk for Reading on Sunday June 07, 2015.
The Ministry of Education has thrown its support behind the event which is being organized by the Education Department of the Saint Lucia Mission of Seventh-day Adventist, under the theme, “Go Miles with Reading”.
The walk aims to raise awareness of the importance of reading in schools, and will climax the month-long programme of activities.
According to the Chairperson of the “Go Miles with Reading” organizing committee, Agnel Gabriel, “Reading is so important; it opens the mind to vast knowledge and even accesses the corners of the mind to imagination, innovation and creativity. Too many of our young people are prey to television and computers which create the image for their amusement, that they forget that their minds are even greater.”
She added that reading is the fundamental key to the growth of the nation, also helping to develop self- image.
“Non-readers or poor readers often have low opinions of themselves and their abilities. Many times they feel isolated and that the world is against them. As a result they perform poorly in subjects because they cannot read and understand the material and so tend to ‘give up’. Therefore, reading is essential for a child’s success,” Gabriel added.
Organizers for the “Miles with Reading” walk say they are targeting 3000 participants, and are hoping to get full support from all schools and well as the involvement of the general public.
“Let us rally together and walk in support of building this nation, through reading. You are, right now, the results of words that you have heard or read and believed about yourself. People, families, relationships, and even nations are built from words. Think about it,” Gabriel added.
Registration desks will be set up at the schools. Persons can also contact the “Go Miles with Reading” organizing committee via email:gomiles@gmail.com