Reading Key to Gaining Knowledge

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Thursday, January 22, 2009

READING is one of the best ways to increase an individual's knowledge and armed with this knowledge, one can increase their standard of living and abilities in readiness for the current demanding era of globalisation, said Hjh Simah Hj Jumat, Kampung Mata-Mata Primary School principal.

"Students who like reading is the nation's most valuable asset as their future life depends on what they are learning today," said the principal during the launching of the school's mobile library services yesterday.

Hjh Simah added that teachers would find it easier to convince their students to read if the students already have the right mindset on the importance of reading.

Hj Sahari Hj Nassar, a representative from the Language and Literature Bureau, said that the bureau plays the most important role in giving its best service to improve the country's residents' habit of reading.

He added that it is hoped that the mobile library will generate a number of knowledgeable students with a passion for reading to lead the nation in the future. The Language and Literature Bureau along with the Ministry of Education will be cooperating to ensure that the services are well-equipped for future demands and requests, said Hj Sahari.

Teachers play an important role in encouraging their students to read and instilling in them the importance of reading, said school teacher Fahmie Izzat. "As a teacher, we have to use our hearts and minds when teaching our students, such as by making the lessons more fun," said the teacher.

He added that this does not mean pampering the children but rather, it is one of the more efficient ways to reach out to a student.

Parents, however, are the most important key members to drive their children into becoming book lovers and readers, said Fahmie. He added that as a teacher, only five hours a day is spent with the students whereas parents have no time limit with their children to ensure that they are reading or doing their revision at home.

School student Morison Ak Megat, said that his parents guide him in improving his reading skills at home and because of that, he is keen to read everyday and it has made him notice common spelling errors that he usually makes in school. (BPA1)