Let’s Read in Schools- What the Pupils Say…

The importance of reading has long been realised by educators and pupils in general. Initiatives by government and other stakeholders have been running to create a reading society amongst the youth. The Namibian came on board with The Let’s Read Project, which was launched 27 October.

The initiative is aimed at promoting literacy and a reading culture primarily among the youth in Namibia. With various sponsors on board, the project is operational in three schools so far, Coblenz Combined School in the Otjozondjupa region, which is sponsored by The Namibian; Adam Steve Combined School, sponsored by O&L Group and Otjiu Primary School in Outjo which is sponsored by Nakara.

The YouthPaper chatted to some of the beneficiaries of the Let’s Read project to find out how it has affected them…

Jolly pupils at the Adam Steve Combined School have showed great appreciation towards the project saying that it is the best initiative by The Namibian and sponsors.

“This project has helped me and my peers to grasp knowledge on the region, national and international news,” said Fabian Pienaar from Adam Steve Combined School.

“Without the bundles that we have received, we would not have known what was going on around the world,” he said in reference to the fact that newspapers do not reach the town of Koës, where his school is. In his area (in the south), he sees the need to read more because they are not exposed to newspapers daily.

“Reading is the starting step of many things, which builds more solid stairs for us pupils to climb up in achieving something big out there. Therefore we should read more. This project will help us understand the world around us as we try to see it not only from our perspective but also from other people’s views,” said Fabian.

Kaurika Tjikombo from the Otjiu Primary School shares the same sentiments as Fabian, saying that the pupils at her school have already started reading and they are enjoying it immensely.

“The project has a positive impact for our school. It will create a positive environment in the school. In the past, the pupils only read books and this is not enough. The project will improve their reading skills through new words and it will soon be fun for them to read,” she said.

Because of the impact the project has the schools so far, Nguvauva Uaendahimua from Coblenz Combined School cannot appreciate it more, only hoping that the sponsorship continue for a longer period.

“The response from the pupils is positive. We however just hope the initiative runs for a longer period. Also, we would like other schools to benefit too as it will improve their academic performance,” he said.

Many times when the importance of reading is asserted, it is from the educators point of view. Little do we hear from the pupil’s point of view as to why he/she thinks it is beneficial to read.

“Through reading, we as pupils expose ourselves to new things, new information, new ways to solve a problem and new ways to achieve. Who knows – you might find your new hobbies within it. I personally think exploration begins from reading and understanding,” asserted Liza Rooi from Adam Steve Combined School.

While Liza asserts that reading provides one with new information, Fabian adds that it can also be beneficial for communication purposes. “Communication is the most important tool that can be transmitted through reading. We communicate through reading, we understand more, and thus we can communicate better with people, “ said Liza.

She believes that people who do not know anything cannot engage in conversations with others because not only do they not know the world around them, they also don’t know how to communicate about it. It is thus through reading that he believes people build a more solid foundation for communication.

“The more we read, the more we understand and the more we can share,” said Liza.

While Let’s Read Project continues to reap positive results from the selected schools, the youth in other regions continue to be at need. Sponsors are thus invited to take up the social responsibility and secure a reading culture for the Namibian child.

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