03 Dec 2014

Lions Club president, Ms Tshidi Serena said reading is essential in today’s lifestyle hence the need to groom students at a tender age.

Speaking during the reading competitions held at Bothakga Primary school in Lobatse, Ms Serena said reading exercises the brain of the child, strengthens the brain connections and builds new connections.

Ms Serena said it helps students to learn new words as they read and absorb information on how to structure a sentence and use language effectively.

“Reading is essential for a child’s success and learning to read is a sequential process, each new skill builds on a mastery of previous learned skills,” she said.

For her part, Ms Vimla Ramkumar, a volunteer at Lions Club said last year they did spelling contest and they intend holding ‘reading competitions’ annually.She noted that as an international organisation and the oldest class in Botswana, they aimed at helping those who are in need.

Ms Ramkumar said during Christmas days they take students of special needs to a place where they feel at home. 

They also visit schools to test students for eye sight and assist those who need glasses as part of reading action program, she added.

“Sometimes in winter we donate blankets to the community” she said. 

She advised students to read magazines and newspapers to improve their vocabulary.

St Theresa scooped position 1 in most levels followed by New Look then Bothakga got third place. 

The special unit classes were all awarded gifts. 

Schools that took part in the reading competitions were St. Theresa, Hill School, Bothakga, Ipeleng and New Look Primary Schools. ENDS