03 Nov 2013

The Reading Challenge initiative is producing learners with excellent communication skills, says former Bokamoso Private Hospital chief executive officer and now businessman, Mr Kabelo Ebineng.

Speaking at Reading Challenge Prize giving held at Pilikwe Primary School recently, Mr Ebineng said the project was producing learners who loved reading for pleasure and to gather new knowledge, while developing excellent communication skills which translated into good results.

The initiative, which is supported by British Council was launched by Prince Harry in 2010 at Mophane Primary School in Gaborone with an aim to promote and develop a reading culture amongst young learners.

Botswana is amongst the more than 20 countries where the British Council is promoting reading using the Reading Challenge materials.

Mr Ebineng said reading with comprehension and purpose instills academic excellence through the building of a higher aptitude for learning in general.

He said reading loudly teaches basic speech skills, better communication skills, language mastery and logical thinking skills.

Reading with purpose and desire, he said enhances concentration, discipline and promotes knowledge whilst exposing the child to real life experiences from around the world.

Mr Ebineng said since the launch of reading challenge project at Mophane primary school, results of that school have been the best and are getting better every year.

The school, he said is mastering the project and other schools were bench marking from it, adding that Pilikwe primary school should aim to achieve that status.

Mr Ebineng commended the British Council for supporting this country through the project, adding that the ministry of education alone cannot manage to provide quality education to the entire nation without the support of stakeholders.

He said the revised policy of education has identified partnerships as one of the factors which are critical in the education system.He urged students, teachers and parents to encourage and support this programme.

For his part Tswapong South MP Mr Oreeditse Molebatsi also commended the British Council for this initiative saying that it is a most welcome development.

He said this programme should be rolled out to other schools in the country so that it helps improve students’ performance through enhancing their communication skills.

Ten primary schools namely Mophane, Boswa, Bophirima, Otse, Mojadife, Mogoditshane, Ngware, Mokgenene and Kudumatse participated in the Reading Challenge competitions.

Bophirima primary school took first position in debate, seconded by Pilikwe and Mophane on third position.Pilikwe primary school also scooped first position in story telling while Ngware primary school scooped first position in poetry. Ends