The Inquirer (Monrovia)
Rose M. Saulwas
23 April 2008
Education Minister, Joseph Korto, has challenged and encouraged Liberian writers to take interest and respond meaningfully to the national call for the production of indigenous Liberian instructional materials that would help primary school pupils in the country.
Minister Korto said it is being observed that reading is one of the areas in the early learning process that has received little or no attention in Liberia's educational system.
He made the call on Tuesday when he officially opened a three-day national conference aimed at helping to build the capacity of Liberian writers and awaken their interest in writing textbooks for primary schools.
The conference with its objective fixed on the writing and reading of indigenous textbooks in primary schools is being held at the William V. S. Tubman High School in Sinkor where the Education Minister further stated that the materials produced by Liberian writers would better explain stories that culturally relate to the country's norms and values to the kids.
He said education has the function to preserve and transmit the culture of the people and that his ministry has received manuscripts from a number of Liberian writers, some which in his belief have the potential for production. He disclosed that before the end of the year, some US$125,000.00 would be provided for the pilot printing and testing of some of said manuscripts.
The Education Minister also stressed that reading is the foundation of any teaching and or learning process and that a person cannot learn with proficiency what they cannot read with understanding.
Dr. Korto said that is why the need to begin the teaching of reading skills especially at primary levels in Liberian schools. He noted that students are generally poor readers and that is what underscores the importance of such a national conference.
Making presentation on the need for developing a reading culture, Deputy Minister of Instructions, Hester Catakaw noted that one of the major components that should be pursued in the process of developing reading culture is functional literacy program.
Madam Catakaw said after the conference, Liberia will be a nation of avid, lifelong readers who will read extensively and value the Liberian languages and literatures.
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