“In the universe of reading, opportunities abound-each story a gateway to a bright future.” This is one of the famous quotations concerning reading and all the opportunities that will come along their way. Reading is truly a visa towards a better future. This is not only to build material or financial fortune but also to have a critical mind with sound judgment. Individuals who can read books have better lifestyles and sound judgment towards things around them. In this respect, having a reader generation is an asset to a country.
The more a nation or stakeholders spend their capital on children, the more they will cultivate morally disciplined and industrious citizens. In this regard, several organizations are actively engaging in helping children and students to develop the culture of reading in Ethiopia. In this context, Ethiopia Reads is taking the lead in helping children to have this culture.
Last Wednesday, Ethiopia Reads held its fifth annual reading forum to discuss the role of parents, fables, children’s reading habits, distribution of books, the role of experts, and other related issues with various stakeholders.
Speaking to The Ethiopian Herald, Ethiopia Reads Country Director Birhanu Girma said that Ethiopia Reads had been functioning in Ethiopia for about 22 years, serving as an agent to encourage the young pupils to read books. So far, it has served not less than 1.5 million students and children all over the nation. Ethiopia Reads believes that poor reading habits can be overcome by encouraging kids to read at an early stage. In this regard, the role of parents, teachers, and guardians is vital.
In this regard, Ethiopia Reads is working aggressively to encourage children to acquaint themselves with reading. This includes organizing libraries, distributing books, reading spaces in community libraries and providing mobile library services in rural parts of the country using Donkey Cart.
Ethiopia Reads is discharging its responsibilities with various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education and others. Birhanu said that encouraging children to read books have a multi-dimensional contribution to children. “As agreed by several experts, reading plays a key role in developing children’s language skills. Early exposure to books enables children to develop their vocabularies and comprehensive skills. The more children are exposed to reading, the more cognitive development they would experience that contributes to brain development, which in turn lets them solve complex problems in their latter age.”
According to Birhanu, in addition to its role to develop language skills and cognitive development, reading books also has a significant role to heal mental wounds of children living in conflict-affected areas. This is our recent experience here in Ethiopia. Children who were exposed to conflict were exposed to traumas. In areas where books are accessible, children are seen enjoying reading stories.
According to him, there are several humanitarian organizations that provide food or cloth to children in conflict-affected areas. However, there is little intervention in areas of providing children books. In this respect, Ethiopia Reads has been aggressively providing books, and encouraging results are seen in those conflict-affected areas.
Ethiopia Reads together with World Bank had implemented projects in five regions (Amhara, Oromia, Tigray, Afar, Somali and Benishangul ) to encourage children to read books that are entertaining and written with mother tongue to help them recover from trauma and positive results are witnessed in most children.
Children have the tendency to be attracted by funny stories and fables. Producing such kind of stories needs proper skill and dedication. In this regard, Ethiopia reads together with other stakeholders are doing their level best to support children to develop their reading skill.
When asked about the power of reading to shape the future of children, Education Assessment and Research Development Head Effa Gurum (PhD) said that encouraging children to read books at an early stage has a significant contribution to their language, cognitive skills, social and emotional development, academic access, and imagination and creativity.
According to him, children who are not exposed to early reading are seen challenged with poor academic performance in their latter age. He also said that several researches are witnessing most children with poor reading skill in preschool age even have displayed problems associated with expressing themselves or writing their names properly. In this respect, organizations like Ethiopia Reads and others are discharging their responsibilities.
As reported by Effa, the absence of researches in areas of preschool is one serious challenge to identify the gap. In this respect, active involvement of all stakeholders will alleviate the problem in a sustainable manner. Preschool age is a foundation for future academic life and supporting children to read at this early age would not only help them. It also has a key role to the national teaching and learning process.
Supporting children to read or providing them an opportunity to access books needs extra commitment. In this regard, organizations like Ethiopia Reads are doing their best to ensure accessibility and distribution in both rural and remote areas.
Developing a culture of reading among children in Ethiopia is essential for fostering intellectual growth, enhancing literacy skills, and promoting lifelong learning. With a rich tapestry of languages and cultural heritage, Ethiopia stands at a unique crossroads where embracing reading can significantly uplift its youth. First and foremost, reading cultivates critical thinking and imagination.
When children are exposed to diverse narratives, they learn to formulate their own opinions and develop empathy. This ability to think critically is crucial in a rapidly changing world, empowering children to navigate challenges and contribute positively to society.
Moreover, a robust reading culture supports academic achievement. Early engagement with books can bolster literacy rates, equipping children with the necessary skills for success in school and beyond. In Ethiopia, where educational resources may be limited, promoting reading can serve as a powerful equalizer, allowing children from various backgrounds to access knowledge and inspiration.
Additionally, instilling a love for reading can enhance community cohesion. Book clubs and reading programs can bring children together, fostering friendships and collaborative learning. This communal approach can empower families to take part in their children’s education, creating a supportive environment that values knowledge and literacy.
Furthermore, in a nation proud of its heritage, integrating local stories and legends into reading materials can reinforce cultural identity and pride. When children see their own experiences reflected in literature, they are more likely to develop a lifelong passion for reading.
In conclusion, nurturing a culture of reading among children in Ethiopia is fundamental to creating a brighter future. By emphasizing the importance of literacy, fostering critical thinking and celebrating cultural narratives, Ethiopia can empower its children to dream big and realize their potential, ultimately leading to a more educated and cohesive society.
BY LULSEGED WORKU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 6 APRIL 2025
