Bandar Seri Begawan - Parents are advised to not solely depend on teachers to instil the culture of reading among students.
It is, in fact, the responsibility of all parties, including parents, teachers, the private sector and non-government organisations, to ensure an improvement in the reading culture in the community.
This was said by Director of Language and Literature Bureau (DBP) Dr Mataim bin Bakar during the closing of the Reading Month, at the bureau`s premises in Berakas.
The combined efforts can create a generation with better knowledge, qualification and talent, he added, adding that this could lead to a culture that can hold up in a competitive world.
"To ensure that we have a strong culture that is relevant to global demands, we need to have knowledge-powered culture, which means a strong reading culture," Dr Mataim said. "It is therefore important for everyone to see it as their responsibility to prioritise the drive to increase the habit of reading in the Bruneian community."
Meanwhile, Reading Month 2008 Chairperson Haji Sahari bin Haji Nassar, in his welcoming address, highlighted the importance of reading as without knowledge, Brunei will be left behind in today`s competitive world.
The Language and Literature Bureau, therefore, took the initiative to hosts the reading month, which began on June 1.
Throughout the month, various activities and programmes were held in the four districts, aimed at instilling the habit of reading among the people. It was also hoped that the initiative would encourage the use of libraries as a source of knowledge. By P Marilyn
Source: http://www.brunei-online.com (July 06, 2008