THE Department of Education (DepEd) under the leadership of Sec. Leonor Briones is spearheading the nationwide celebration of the 2018 National Reading Month (NRM) this November to promote the love for reading and to celebrate the diversity of learners and culture through reading.
As reflected in DepEd Memorandum No. 175, s. 2018, Secretary Briones exhorted DepEd officials in all levels levels to conduct and partake in various activities related to the celebration with theme, “Pagbasa: Susi sa Magandang Kinabukasan.”
Briones added that the nationwide observance of the reading month is in line with DepEd’s commitment to provide quality, accessible, relevant, and liberating basic education for all and to lay the foundation for lifelong learning and service for the common good.
The Secretary encourages all schools and learning centers to hold suggested activities for elementary and secondary learners but they are not prohibited to hold related activities other those that are suggested by DepEd.
The culmination of the reading month will be the nationwide synchronized story reading time on November 27 at 9:00 a.m. Philippine Standard Time (PST) in consonance with the observance of the “Araw ng Pagbasa” which is a regular working holiday, to be celebrated in all elementary and secondary schools in the country. It could be remembered that every November 27 of every year has been declared by Republic Act No. 10556 as “Araw ng Pagbasa.”
Moreover, the DepEd Chief directed school administrators, division chiefs, and other DepEd officials to join the nationwide story reading before a group of learners in their own schools and may also invite local government officials and other stakeholders to participate in this activity.
Considered as feature activity of the reading month is the “Mystery Reader” which is considered a national kick-off activity where all school administrators, Schools Division Superintendents and Regional Directors are directed to be the mystery readers of a children’s Filipino story book during the school’s flag raising ceremony.
Other activities suggested for the celebration are: “Literacy Buddies” which is a writing program wherein each learner is matched with an older learner from the school, “Book Fair” that will showcase story books written by learners and teachers, “Reading Challenge” all teaching and non-teaching personnel of the DepEd are enjoined to read a book for a week for the month of November and a book sharing activity shall also be organized once a week to share the book read for the week.
Another actitivity is the “#Shareabook,” which encourages all learners and school administrators to bring their own story books for children. All teaching and non-teaching personnel as well as guests to DepEd conferences are likewise encouraged to share a story book.
The Memorandum also suggested to schools and learning centers to invite parents and other community volunteers to help non-readers and other learners with reading difficulties by adopting a child and help him/her succeed in reading through the “Help a Reader. Be a Volunteer” activity while the “Reading Family” is a symposium for the parents and guardians on the importance of reading to their children at home and on helping their children become successful readers.
Even if the schools and learning centers are asked to hold the suggested activities, the Memorandum is clear that the school activities during the celebration of the reading month must not disrupt the contact time between the teachers and learners.