Rwanda : Reading campaign to dismantle literacy barrier

Publishers exhibit books during the Rwanda reads campaign launch

The Ministry of Education of education has launched a reading campaign dubbed ‘Rwanda reads’ expected to develop the culture of reading in Rwanda.

The campaign which will sensitise the importance of reading at all levels aims at dismantling literacy barriers and develop a thriving and sustainable culture of reading.

The initiative will utilize a variety of strategies, including public awareness campaigns, improved literacy instruction, and increased availability of reading materials, all ages of the Rwandan population.

Speaking at the launch of the campaign in Kigali on Thursday, the Minister of Education Vincent Biruta said that the initiative will enable Rwandans to achieve collective vision for the future of the country.

“We must all be empowered to contribute to the development of our country as described in Vision2020. But achieving this goal cannot happen by reading a book here and a website there. We need, all of us, to develop the habit of reading every day for life-long learning and pleasure,” he said.

He urged Rwandans of all walks of life to love reading and inspire the young ones to do the same.

Reiterating on the issue of reading culture starting within the family, UNICEF representative to Rwanda Noala Skinner emphasized that it is never too early to start reading for a child.

“The early you begin reading for an infant, the more you would preparing them to like reading and getting used to seeing books,” said Skinner.

However, this initiative, could get a set back from the big number of parents in Rwanda who don’t know how to read and write especially in the rural villages. Statistics from the Ministry of Education show that 30 percent of Rwandan adults can neither read nor write.

In response to this, the Director General of Rwanda Education Board Dr. John Rutayisire said that it is a challenge that is being addressed because the Ministry has introduced adult literacy classes all over the country.

The initiative which was started in 2010 uses senior six leavers to teach their neighbours how to read and write.

Rwanda reads will promote the culture of reading among all Rwandans regardless of age, gender, location or circumstances through improved and more widely available literacy instruction at all levels.

The campaign will also increase the availability of reading materials through support to local and regional publishers and book sellers as well as development of traditional and mobile libraries in schools.