BY ELEAZAR BARRICK PETER
KUCHING: The Sarawak Education Department remains committed to nurturing the academic growth and literacy skills of students through the Education Ministry’s Ready to Read Programme.
Sarawak State Education Department Director, Datuk Dr Azhar Ahmad said the programme, which began in 2015, had evolved significantly from its initial role of providing books to becoming a comprehensive tool or assessing students’ English reading competency, particularly in Primary Year 1 to 3.
“The initiative aligns perfectly with the seven Cores of Excellence envisioned by our Minister of Education, Fadhlina Sidek particularly Core 4, which addresses literacy and numeracy as the fundamental building blocks for academic excellence,” he said.
He said this in his opening speech during the book handing over ceremony by Osaka Gas Foundation of International Cultural Exchange (OGFICE) for the Ready to Read Programme held at the Sarawak State Education Department, Jalan Bako here yesterday (Oct 5).
Dr Azhar then lauded the generous contribution made by OGFICE which would serve as a source of motivation for the participating district Departments and schools.
“Such initiatives reinforce the idea that our implementation of educational programmes not only meets the present demands but also fulfils the future need of our students,” he added.
Meanwhile, OGFICE chairman, Tetsuo Setguchi said he believed that the smallest of efforts could create significant positive change.
“The books we provide through this programme are more than just reading materials; they are gateways to knowledge and empowerment.
“We hope that the impact of our efforts extends far and wide, touching the lives of countless children to nurturing their reading skills,” he said.
Meanwhile, since 2012, OGFICE, in line with its corporate social responsibility (CSR), has contributed to the local education initiatives through training and education programme in Sarawak.
The distribution of the English reading books is one of the company’s initiatives to strengthen English literacy among Primary 1 to 3 students.
For Sarawak, the English reading books will be handed over to representatives from the District Education Office in Kuching, Bintulu and Miri to be distributed to 50 schools involved in the Ready to Read programme.
Also present was Educational Planning and Research Division (EPRD) of Education Ministry director, Dr Latip Muhammad.
