| |
| |
![]() |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
SINGAPORE: A 14-week nationwide reading initiative known as READ! Singapore, organised by the National Library Board (NLB), wrapped up on Monday after a fruitful run.
The NLB said a total of 300 activities had been organised, including book discussions, meet the author sessions and reading carnivals. They reached out to some 29,000 Singaporeans.
The NLB has also trained more than 800 reading facilitators in four languages, as well as attracted the participation of more than 100 schools.
According to an independent survey, there is a high awareness level of READ! Singapore, which is into its fifth year. Over half a million Singaporeans have seen, heard or read about the initiative.
More than 70 per cent of participants strongly agreed that READ! Singapore has achieved its key objectives of encouraging reading of fiction, increasing social cohesion and creating a knowledgeable society.
But the survey also showed that there is room for improvement. For example, only 12,000 Singaporeans had actively participated in the programmes organised. Some reasons given included lack of time or having nobody to accompany them.
Of particular concern was that while those aged between 15 and 19 years registered the highest awareness of the initiative among all the age groups, they also demonstrated the lowest participation level. - CNA/vm
|
