The District Director of Education for Talensi, Christiana Ayinesoya Azure, has described the Reading Festival as an exercise that is capable of sustaining the interest of children in reading.
According to her, a child, who can read, will have his or her confidence boosted as she hopes that learners and teachers will be encouraged to improve teaching and learning through the Reading Festival.
She was speaking at the district-level Reading Competition to select the best performers for the regional competition in July. The exercise is supported by USAID through the USAID/Ghana Strengthening Accountability in Ghana’s Education System (SAGES) systems strengthening activity, held the Municipal level primary schools reading competition under the theme; “Reading, a pathway to the world”
It is being organized following a National Standardized Test conducted in 2022 on the reading abilities of Primary 2-learners which showed that about 62% of Primary 2-learners could not read.
With only 38% being able to read, it remained clear that steps must be taken to improve the situation.
The education of children in the Talensi District is greatly hampered by mining activities with some youth leaving the classroom for the mining pits.
Activities such as the Reading Festival are aimed at sustaining the interest of children in learning, and will therefore help keep them in school since they will be able to see a clear path to progression in education.
Madam Azure said the children will be interested in reading once they are capable of doing so.
“The essence of the Reading Festival is to sustain children’s interest in reading. We want them to develop the habit of reading. Once they can read, they will be interested in reading and we must sustain it by having this annual festival to make them continue to read”.
“That is why as a district, we are here taking the children through reading and comprehension to help sustain their interest going forward. It will also boost the individual confidence and the child will not feel shy and want to drop out and this will help keep the child in school,” She emphasized while urging parents to improve the care for their children’s education.
Jessica Seidu, a Teacher at Winkogo Primary described the exercises as important to improving education in the district.
“This program has helped the students build upon their vocabulary and identification of words by using sounds to make words. So, this program has helped the children improve upon their reading habits.” She added.
For the Basic 1 category, Nbapuyele Diligent Pwalugu – Yinduri Circuit came 1st followed by Tampugre Delphina of the Gbeogo Circuit and Apana Blessing of Winkogo Circuit, in the second and third place, respectively.
Basic 2 had Margaret Deezo, of Gbeogo Circuit place first with Janice Ayambirei, of Winkogo Circuit coming second while the third place went to Apanzanga Pius Pwalugu of the Yinduri Circuit.
At the Basic 3 level, Ayine Blessing of Winkogo Circuit came first while Ali Precious of the Pwalugu-Yinduri Circuit placed second. Boazie Stephanie of the Duusi Gaare-Gbani Circuit, however, placed 3rd.
