WINDHOEK
The Lifelong Learning division in the ministry of education embarked on a mass reading awareness campaign in order to develop a reading culture in the Hardap Region.
The campaign kicked off in Kalkrand through to Gibeon and Rehoboth for the first part; using Spelling Bee and poetry competitions as a marketing tool. The events were held under the slogan, ‘Reading is a lifestyle in Hardap Region’, as this is the main aim of the Lifelong Learning Division in the region.
The theme of the event was: Books Educate, Motivate and Inspire. This is the first time that programmes like these are taking place in the region.
The awareness creation regional schedule was as below:
Kalkrand: September 7 (Spelling Bee competition)
Gibeon: September 8-9 (Second Spelling Bee competition)
Rehoboth: September 11 (Poetry competition)
Maltahohe: September 29-30 (Debate) still to follow.
The purpose is to inform and enlighten the inhabitants of the region about what community libraries in the region offer to the community. More than 200 community members, including village councilors, community members, school-going children, community leaders, youth groups and spiritual leaders attended the awareness creation campaigns.
Twenty learners participated in the Spelling Bee Competition and the top three received cash prizes and stationary from Standard Bank Namibia: 1st Prize of N$500 went to Christiaan Apollus of Kalkrand Primary School; the 2nd Prize of N$300 went to Miriam Shipahu of AA Denk Primary School and the 3rd Prize of N$200 was won by Oscar Boois, also of AA Denk Primary School.