In celebration of the National Literacy Month this September and in preparation for November’s National Reading Month, World Vision Development Foundation in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) launches Brigada Pagbasa, a movement that seeks to enhance the reading skills of the Filipino children.
What to read in this article:
- All about the of Brigada Pagbasa
- Partnership of World Vision with DepEd
The extension project of Brigada Eskwela
The project, an extension of the Brigada Eskwela campaign that promotes community participation in time for school opening. It will bring together experts, change makers, policy-makers, and other stakeholders across all sectors from international and local agencies, as well as public and private organizations to spread reading literacy among Filipino children.
To make this happen, World Vision, together with DepEd, is partnering with the National Library of the Philippines, National Book Development Board, and E Net Philippines, and have also tapped TV and radio personality Joyce Pring to be the Ambassador for Brigada Pagbasa.
“Literacy, most especially amongst the children and youth, is one of the key factors that determines how well a country progresses in this rapidly-changing world. We have an unfortunate reality where some Filipinos, both young and old, are still struggling with their literacy skills,” said Mr. Rommel Fuerte, Executive Director of World Vision in the Philippines.
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Importance of literacy in education
Literacy is very important in learning, it is essential in building knowledge among people and children that eventually they will use as they grow up. The aim of education is to provide a literate student and teach literacy among young people. To equip them later in their lives and discover their full potential.
As per Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO on International Literacy in 2018,
“Literacy is the first step towards freedom, towards liberation from social and economic constraints. It is the prerequisite for development, both individual and collective. It reduces poverty and inequality, creates wealth, and helps to eradicate problems of nutrition and public health.”
Thru literacy we can ensure the good future for our young generation. It is also important to equip the educators in teaching and building a good literacy strategy to teach the young people. Training good teachers in literacy is one of the key part of building a nation with many literate children.
Literacy in the Philippines
Based on a report by United Nations, the Philippines has the highest literacy rate at 97.95 percent among Southeast Asian countries. Such as Singapore, Brunei, and Indonesia. The literacy rate is 98.9 percent among females and 97 percent among males aged 15-24.
While the literacy rate showed the country’s improvement from the past years. There is still a staggering number of children in the country who face literacy challenges. The remaining gap reflected in the study above shows that more work must be done to address this pressing issue.
“To become literate is an important component in the development of children, especially at this fast-paced, technology-driven age. Brigada Pagbasa aims to unleash the potential in every child,” said Mr. Rommel Fuerte, Executive Director of World Vision Philippines.
Brigada Pagbasa will fully commence this November at several communities across the Philippines to educate everyone the value of reading.
“This campaign is a life-long commitment for all of us. Perhaps, until every child receives an opportunity to be educated and to develop his or her full potential,” Mr. Fuerte added.
About World Vision
World Vision is a global Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.
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