‘Kids Read’ is an award-winning scheme developed to help children enjoy reading. Teachers and parents often struggle to find ways to motivate children to read. To support the Ministry of Education’s work in English language and literacy development, ‘Kids Read’ programme was implemented in Bangladesh in 2015 and this year, the second edition of the programme has been launched successfully.
Bangladesh has been one of eight countries in Asia, where the programme has been implemented. It is an initiative which also teaches teachers from the selected schools on how to be more interactive and engaging with the students.
The British Council, with supported grants from the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC), launched the second edition of ‘Kids Read’ through a series of inauguration ceremony at the premises of the institutions selected for the project from 30 August 2016 to 5 October 2016. ‘Kid’s Read’ is a storytelling programme for primary school children in grades one to six in Bangladesh. Abdullah Al Jubayer, Manager, Corporate Sustainability, HSBC Bangladesh and Sarwat Reza, Library Manager, British Council were present at the launching ceremony. A professional storyteller shared a storytelling session with the children after which the books were handed over to the school authority and among the students.
The first edition of the ‘Kids Read’ programme was implemented in three madrasas and three Government primary schools in Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar. Over three thousand students and thirty-six teachers participated in the previous edition. The second edition of ‘Kids Read’ aims to reach over 10,000 students from eight primary schools in Dhaka city. Each school will receive a set of ninety popular storybook titles from the United Kingdom to improve the English language skills of the participating children.
Teachers do believe that reading opens up a world of opportunities for children, exposing them to other cultures, attitudes and issues, such as the environment. That is why the teachers praised the concept and the students are eagerly looking forward to the upcoming events and activities under the umbrella of the project, Kids Read!