THE Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) last Thursday kicked off the free distribution of newspapers to all its 1001 public primary schools in the state to promote the reading culture among pupils and teachers.Flagging off the distribution at a formal ceremony held at the SUBEB Multi-Purpose Hall in Lagos, the Executive Chairman of the board, Mrs. Gbolahan Daodu said the programme, which is taking place with the support of the Lagos State government, is to address that critical area of national development in the area of education.According to her, efforts directed in this essential area is part of ongoing efforts to improve the reading culture especially at the foundation level with special focus on pupils in public primary schools across the state.Apart from encouraging the reading culture, she explained that it will also afford both pupils and their teachers the opportunity to keep abreast of current, local, National and international information provided by newspapers. Newspaper is a unique compendium of information needed in offices, homes and schools. One thing that distinguishes it from other media is its descriptive ability to report events accurately and vividly. It recreates sight, sound and scent of an occasion thereby fostering thoughts and stirring emotions, she added.The Executive Chairman explained that the board decided to partner with Vintage Press Limited, publishers of the Nation Newspaper after a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was agreed on by both parties.Considering the cost of the distribution of newspaper to all its primary schools on a daily, she said the committee saddled with the task of negotiating the supply has resolved to begin with one newspaper per school per week until the finance of the board can accommodate more.She saidInformation is power, anyone that has no access to information is living in total ignorance. Newspapers therefore archives yesterday, chronicles today and periscopes tomorrow.Though the State government has intensified efforts towards building libraries, providing reading corners and free textbooks, she added that one of the best ways to improve knowledge is to encourage children to familiarize themselves with issues around them.Daodu also encourages parents and guardian to devote more time to helping their children with their school work and other extra curricular activities.It is the responsibility of parents to encourage their children to pay attention to news item. The significance of what we are doing is to open the frontiers of knowledge beyond school curriculum.She implored the teachers to find time in their schedule to point out vital news item to their pupils on a daily basis,Let this effort not be in vain. We expect the teachers to earmark a period where they can simplify news items, they can ensure that newspaper are read out during school assembly or other period.To the pupils, she advisedYou are the future of Nigeria, cultivate the habit of reading newspapers and magazines, get to explore knowledge out of school. Strive to improve your vocabulary and confidence in public speaking. Reading will help in making our pupils more proactive, assertive and informed on contemporary issues.
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