National Read-Wide Programme Launched

The Vice President, Prof. John Atta Mills, has urged adults and students to cultivate the habit of reading in order to become better informed. This was contained in a speech read for him by a Minister of State, Mr.. D.S. Boateng, at the launching of the National Readwide Programme at the on-going conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools in Koforidua, Prof. Mills said the falling standards of education cannot be attributed solely to the exodus of teachers from the country in the '70s and '80s but also to the poor reading habits among students. He said some students only read when they are writing examinations and are therefore unable to express themselves very well. Professor Mills said most parents have also lost the habit of reading together with their children and do not encourage their children to read. Professor Mills therefore, charged teachers and parents to inculcate in children the habit of reading. The Managing Director of Read-wide Bookshop, Mr.. Vincent Freeman, said his Company wants to complement government efforts by helping schools to improve upon the reading habits of students. The Omanhene of New Juabeng, Dasebre Dr.. Oti Boateng, who chaired the function, said the country's quest for sustainable development should be based on a well informed people. This, he said, can be achieved when reading materials based on the people's cultures are made available at all levels.

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