Read more, Be more

Contributed by Glenn-Joy S. Guila – Bo. Central Elementary School, Balanga City

If a child can read and comprehend, learning takes place. Being one of the strong foundations in achieving quality education, reading is one of the vital skills every child should learn. Just like the old saying goes, “Reading maketh a full man”.

The number of struggling and non-readers in our midst, sad to say, is increasing. With this dilemma that our society is facing right now, teachers as well as parents play an important role in combating this problem.

While it is also true that it takes a village to educate a child, the community and other stakeholders should work hand in hand to build a community of readers. There is no short cut to quality education. Everyone should contribute and be a building block to resolve this pressing problem on reading.

Nowadays, the real definition of a reader is not just a child who can produce the sounds. It is not enough that he can utter syllables and familiar words. While it holds true that the beginning phase of reading is sound production, it should not stop there. It should go further because a true reader can comprehend. But the sad thing is; only a few have acquired and even mastered that skill. They find it hard to process the information they have just read. Reading without comprehension is just a waste of time, and not an indication of quality education.

Joyful readers are those who spend time reading without being forced or being burdened by obligation. Once the love of reading is developed in them, it will just be one of their hobbies; it will be a natural instinct for them to grab story books and different reading materials; their vocabulary will be enriched and they can discover wonderful things.

Calling all the teachers with a high sense of commitment to quality education… Your service and dedication is badly needed. We all know that we cannot teach the intended skills for children to acquire the necessary competencies if children cannot read. It is pre-requisite that the child can comprehend what he reads before he can be able to process the information that we feed them. A minimum of 30-minute to 1-hour remedial reading will be a great help in improving reading. Simple selections followed by comprehension questions will somehow develop their comprehension skills.

Yes, the problem is right in front of us, and we should do something. Now is the time. There’s no point in pointing fingers. We are riding on the same boat and we should not let each other to drown in a pool of non-readers.

Remember, great leaders are voracious readers. READ MORE, and no doubt, you will BE MORE.

Reference: Result of PROJECT – READ conducted by the Division of City Schools, Balanga City, Bataan