FG steps up reading campaign to check declining standards

Worried by the declining standard of education in Nigeria, particularly at the basic school level, the federal government has stepped up its campaign to address poor reading and comprehension competencies among the teaching personnel.

At the opening of a four-day capacity building workshop organised for English Language Secondary School teachers in Abuja, facilitated by the National Action Committee on Read Campaign, the Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike noted that poor reading and comprehension competencies of learners have greatly contributed to low grades and consequently the seemingly falling standard of education in the country.

Wike, represented by Director of Education Planning, Research and Development at the Ministry, Bridget Okpa, however admonished teachers in Nigeria to step up their effort at sustaining the educational system, “the importance of reading among students and teachers to unlocking any form of knowledge and information can never be over-emphasized”.

“As we all know, the falling standard of education in Nigeria has become a topical issue of national dimensions. It is in recognition of the importance of reading that the Federal Ministry of Education has accorded the Read Campaign a central place to chart the course of reading and inculcating reading culture among Nigerians,” he stated.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, MacJohn Nwaobiala said the importance of reading, as a valuable asset through which individuals, national and international development can be attained, can never be overemphasized.
“Reading is the means by which people gain access to the vast and varied supply of knowledge and experiences that are preserved in written form.