Skip to main content

Encourage a reading culture among learners- Mombasa county teachers told


Gladys Chonga, a Librarian in-charge of Children department at KNLS Mombasa branch. Photo by Geitano Ndalo at KICODEP on Saturday
 BY PETER KOMBE

The department of children at the Kenya National Library Services Mombasa branch is calling on teachers across the county to instill a reading culture amongst pupils saying it is the only way to ensure that they stay informed.

Speaking to the media in Mombasa on Saturday Gladys Chonga a librarian in charge of children department at KNLS Mombasa branch says they have embraced a digital reading technology geared at encouraging reading culture among Kenyans.

According to her one electronic gadget (Ipad format) has a capacity to download 1200 books.

“We need as teachers to support the kids at an early stage. At the same time let us also give our pupils time to relax. All work and no play makes jack a dull boy,” she said.

She argues that as technology changes hard copies will eventually be replaced with soft copies in the next five years.

Ms. Chonga further states that KNLS has reached out to many schools within Mombasa Island to sensitize schools on e-books.

“We also need to go an extra mile due to the cultures within us. You teachers can form book clubs and visit KNLS. We have ample resources for the kids,” she noted.

According to her the digital reading technology will assist pupils reduce the burden of carrying loads of books to and from schools.

However she says the gadgets are only available at the KNLS branches.

“We have basic computer labs at KNLS where pupils can read online.

DAYO Executive director Seif Jira facilitating a session at KICODEP on Saturday photo by Geitano Ndalo.
Meanwhile, Dream Achievers Youth Organization executive director Seif Jira says the CBO works closely with the department of education in Mombasa County to ensure that grade one to three learners are able to read on their own.

He says through Tusome Project the NGO encourages reading culture among grade one to three pupils.

“As an organization we work on various thematic areas including; education, health, youth empowerment and social justice. In economic empowerment we train young people on how to carry out businesses” he noted.

He further says the CBO also trains young people on financial literacy by encouraging them to save their hard earned money.

An education official from Mombasa County who spoke on condition of anonymity urged teachers to encourage pupils on proper usage of school learning materials.

She wants teachers to take care of all learning materials saying basic education is key.

“Tusome Project  is a very good program that we should even propose for an extension to accommodate upper grades not grade one to three alone,” she said.

She says the department embraces the program as it inculcates a reading culture among kids.

Some of the beneficiary schools in the project include among others; Olive Rehabilitation Centre, Furaha Nursery School, Bien Alliance Petrose Academy and Gates of Joy.

Gladys Chonga training teachers on how to take care of library materials photo by Geitano Ndalo





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Involve all stakeholders when proposing new laws- BOTTAX General Secretary petitions government

BOTTAX General Secretary Cynthia Wanyonyi Photo (courtesy) BY PETER KOMBE Kenya Boda Boda Tuk Tuk and Taxi Workers Union (BOTTAX Kenya) has faulted the government on claims of passing bills that do not favor the transport sector. Speaking to the media in Mombasa on Monday the union’s General Secretary Cynthia Wanyonyi said in most cases the government does not involve boda boda Tuk Tuk and other informal transport worker's representatives. She further noted that as stakeholders in the public transport sector the government fails to carry out effective public participation exercises as enshrined in the Kenyan constitution. “The government does not involve the public when making certain decisions,” she noted. Wanyonyi urged both the operators to register with the union to avoid being misled by what she claims are quack organisations. She urged the department concerned with registering cooperatives and other associations touching on the informal trans
6 comments
Read more

Mombasa Judge Gives Custody Of Minor to Her Sex Worker Mother

By Our Reporter . High court Justice John Onyiego has for the second time ordered that a child who had been earlier awarded to the father by a lower court which found the mother unfit to be shared among the couple. His judgement is notably similar to his first in which the mother failed to comply and vanished with the minor who has been missing for the better part of two weeks. According to his earlier ruling Justice John Onyiego’s stated, “If any party served with this order and fails to comply, with the same, shall be cited in contempt of court and is liable for a fine or imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or both.” It is after the law caught up with her that the court delegated the lower court which promptly handed the child to then care of his father, former Scotland Yard Detective Kevin Hurley. However, in a petition by the mother to the high court in which Justice Onyiego delivered his ruling on 21st of this month, the judge in no uncertain terms declared t
Post a Comment
Read more

Invest more in reproductive health budget- activists petition Mombasa county government

By M warandu Randu Human rights crusaders championing for youth rights have called on the Mombasa county government to pump in more funds in the health kitty in order to boost reproductive health amongst the youth. Addressing journalists in Mombasa on Wednesday during an engagement forum organized by Dream Achievers Youth Organization, DAYO, Sheenan Mbau, an activist from the Centre for the Study of Adolescence, CSA said accessing information regarding reproductive health among the youth is still a challenge. “I’m urging the county government of Mombasa to invest more in the health budget.  We know that the county has done so well but some more funds are needed to boost the reproductive health kitty for the youths” Ms Mbau explained She however lauded the strides made by the county government in the development and implementation of the youth strategy launched recently by the county. The activist noted that there is a need for the county government to construc
1 comment
Read more