Educationist calls for Readers’ Club in schools

Mr Simeon Fowowe, National President, Association of Nursery and Primary Education Instructors in Nigeria (ANPEIN), has called on schools management at all levels to establish Readers’ Club for students.

Fowowe made the call in an interview with Newsmen on Thursday in Lagos on the celebration of the World Book Day.

Supreme reports that the World Book Day is celebrated every March 4 worldwide, especially in school system to create awareness on the importance of reading.

Theme of 2021 World Book Day is: “Share A Story”.

Fowowe said that introducing Readers’ Club would promote reading culture among the students, both at home and in schools.

“Reading test should form part of the entrance test for both the new students and new teachers during admission and recruitment exercise respectively.

“Parents and teachers themselves must be readers before they can promote reading culture in children.

“When parents and teachers built their houses they should make provision for reading rooms where books are shelved and read.

“Home and school environments should be literacy rich with age appropriate and culturally appropriate texts,” he said.

Fowowe said it was important to encourage children to explore different genres of books such as picture reading, puzzle studying, and comic reading to ultimately help develop a passion for reading.

He said that there were many benefits to be a book reader at early age, including increased vocabulary, heightened empathy, improved concentration and exposure to their culture and other cultures.

“World Book Day can provide an opportunity for children who may not have interest in reading to start having interest and resolving to have their own books at home.

“Government should also establish more community libraries and create awareness by reading books on radio or television stations.

“Though, with or without World Book Day, learners or students should be encouraged to be reading everyday,” Fowowe advised.