NY Is Book Country
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Hajia Samira Bawumia (middle), the second lady, Hajia Latifah Abdul Rahaman (3rd from right), Principal of Apimpoa Islamic Basic ‘A’ and Fati Nasamu Hatong (left), Principal of Apimpoa Islamic School’ B’ with the schoolchildren
The vice president’s wife, Hajia Samira Bawumia, asked school children in New Juaben South and New Juaben North municipalities to take full advantage of “her reading books” at school and at home.
This, she said, would open their eyes and doors to opportunities for them to excel in life and also make them useful citizens.
She said reading opened her eyes and opened doors and opportunities for her and added that she would like schoolchildren to enjoy it too.
Hajia Samira gave advice when her foundation, the Samira Empowerment and Humanitarian Project (SEHP), presented numerous learning materials to some selected schools in two municipalities in the East region.
Library
The project, codenamed ‘library-in-a-box’, was part of his quest to improve the reading skills of school children at the basic school level.
As part of the project, boxes full of storybooks for different grades are distributed to schools to expand access and address the literacy gap in basic schools across the country.
Book clubs
To instill children’s interest in reading through stories, Ms. Bawumia urged headteachers and teachers to open book clubs in their respective schools.
Since its inception in 2017, the project has already distributed more than 200,000 such books to 68 elementary schools across the country.
“I really know that growing up it was books that helped me become who I am now. Books will help you discover the world you haven’t traveled to.
“It will also help you learn about societies you don’t know. It’s your passport to the world,” she said.
Hajia Bawumia told students and teachers that “if you open a book and read about it, you can learn and aspire to achieve this goal.”
She therefore urged them to take every opportunity they would have to improve their literary skills, which would open the doors of the world to them.
Books in mint condition
Ms. Bawumia told the teachers and principals of the schools that the books were not for decoration purposes and that she did not want to visit the beneficiary schools one day to see the books in new condition or undamaged at all.
She said that would mean the children had not been helped to read the books at all.
“I want you to share it with them, to read it to them, to create a library space for them, and to create a reading time for them as well,” she said.
According to the second lady, the books had been placed in the containers to keep them safe, clean and tidy so that they would not become dusty or destroyed by rain.
Beneficiary schools
The beneficiary schools, Ms Bawumia said, were Apimpoa Islamic Basic ‘A & ‘B’ Oyoko Methodist Basic, Effiduase Presby Basic, Police Basic School and Trinity Presby Model School.
“You will become someone in the future if you stick to your books. As teachers, we have to learn how to encourage children to read the books,” she said.
New Juaben South Constituency MP Michael Okyere Kofi Baafi on his part praised Ms Bawumia for coming to the aid of the schools.
Mr Baafi pleaded with teachers to make good use of books and create library periods for children to improve their reading skills.
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of New Juaben North, Comfort Asante, said the best way to expand the horizons of schoolchildren to improve their education in the future is through reading.
This, she said, would help transform the country and society as a whole and, at the same time, improve teaching and learning in schools.
“The reading books provided today are intended to help you improve your reading skills.
“Don’t make noise when you read, as it will disturb your focus and concentration,” Ms Asante said.
school children
Some of the beneficiary students of Apimpoa Islamic Basic School, Ayishetu Abdul Rahman and Rukayatu Abdul Rahim, told the Daily Graphic that they were very excited about the delivery of the books.
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