Developing a reading culture promotes lifelong learning.

Recess time at Khanh Nhac A Primary School (Yen Khanh) becomes even more meaningful when many students flock to the Green Library corner to read their favorite books. Despite the noise and laughter throughout the schoolyard, for these young readers, the pages of a book always hold a special appeal.

Tô Gia Hy, a student in class 5B, said: "Every day when I come to school, I really enjoy spaces like the library corner in the classroom, the green library, and the friendly library where I can explore and learn a vast amount of knowledge. I often look for books suitable for my age, especially those with content about science exploration and life skills..."

At Khanh Nhac A Primary School, recognizing the importance of reading culture in the school environment, the school's management board has focused on building library models, encouraging and creating an environment for students to participate in reading, helping each student expand their knowledge, develop their thinking, and improve and develop soft skills and communication skills.

Library reading sessions, recess time, and extracurricular activities organized and effectively maintained by the school have helped spread the reading movement widely, contributing to promoting learning and self-improvement among students.

Every year, the school also focuses on investing in and adding more books to enrich the school library; at the same time, it seeks support and sponsorship from organizations, individuals, and parents to acquire more books.

The school has internet access so that students can find and read age-appropriate books online, via cloud library, using televisions in the classrooms; and books are circulated between classes…

Students at Khanh Nhac A Primary School during a library lesson.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Dan Huyen, the school principal, said: "The effectiveness of developing and spreading a reading culture in the school has contributed to improving educational results and attracting a large number of students to participate in playgrounds, competitions, and experiential activities. In the 2023-2024 school year, the school had one student win a consolation prize in the Provincial Reading Culture Ambassador Competition; three products were selected and one product won a consolation prize in the Provincial Youth and Children's Creative Competition; and students actively participated in playgrounds such as the Young Scholar and the Vietnamese Language Scholar competitions."

Last academic year, Khanh Nhac A Primary School had 43 students winning provincial-level awards; 414 students winning national-level awards and 3 students winning international awards. The school was awarded a certificate of merit by the Ministry of Education and Training for its many innovations and creativity in teaching and learning, and for being the leading primary school in Yen Khanh district.

Along with the role of the education and training system in guiding and organizing reading promotion activities for officials, teachers, students, and trainees, the development of reading culture to promote lifelong learning has also received the involvement and support of many groups and individuals who are dedicated and responsible to reading culture.

Over the years, family and clan libraries established in localities throughout the province have made a significant contribution to the early formation and sustainable maintenance of children's reading habits, fostering a love of reading, valuing knowledge, and stimulating a spirit of self-reading and self-learning.

Many family and clan libraries are preserving valuable and rare collections of documents; some libraries have expanded into reading spaces serving the community, and together with the network of reading spaces and community reading rooms, they have become a link in the library system directly serving the people; reading promotion activities suitable for this type of library, when implemented, are well received by the community and attract widespread participation from all segments of the population.

Teacher Do Kim Cham and her Le Mung Reading Space (located at Street 6, Yen Ninh town, Yen Khanh district) are a prime example of a young teacher's love for books and her dedication to spreading a reading culture.

Ms. Kim Cham has donated age-appropriate books to many school libraries in the area. "I myself have always loved books and have an endless passion for them. When I came to work in this locality, I realized that children in rural areas still lack 'playgrounds' for books," Ms. Kim Cham shared.

Leveraging her connections with publishers and private bookstores, Ms. Cham approached them to request books for students in Ninh Binh and other locations.

Global Happy Kids School (Yen Ninh town, Yen Khanh district) - one of the schools that received books donated by Ms. Do Kim Cham.

With the support of bookstores and publishers in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Thua Thien-Hue, etc., since October 2009, Ms. Kim Cham has started building the Le Mung Reading Space (in Khanh Nhac commune) and has become a bridge connecting books from publishers and bookstores to schools in need of additional books.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ms. Cham transported a large number of books to schools both within and outside the province because, with recreational activities restricted, reading became a joy for many children. At its peak, in some months, Ms. Cham transported over 1,000 books to those in need and was always ready to participate in transporting books and discussing them with others.

Ms. Cham's family home in Khanh Nhac has become a familiar reading spot for many local children. Since moving to the town, Ms. Cham brought her bookshelf with her. In her new home, the bookshelf continues to be open, welcoming children to borrow books to read…

As one of the schools receiving books from the Le Mung Reading Space, Ms. Pham Thi Ha, manager of Global Happy Kids School (Yen Ninh town, Yen Khanh district), shared: "Since 2022, Ms. Kim Cham has been donating books to the school, including books very suitable for preschool and kindergarten children such as language books, life skills books, and comic books… Ms. Cham's dedication has been recognized by the school, and the books are used effectively in educating and caring for the children…"

The "Lifelong Learning Awareness Week," actively participated in by agencies, organizations, units, schools, groups, and individuals, encourages, motivates, and creates favorable conditions for people to proactively read and learn regularly, continuously, and throughout their lives, aiming to build a learning society and spread reading literature in the community.

Text and photos: Bui Dieu

Source: https://baoninhbinh.org.vn/phat-trien-van-hoa-doc-thuc-day-hoc-tap-suot-doi/d20240930203947446.htm