Ministry Seeking
Input on Books for Children
Cambodian children don't have enough good books to
read, so the Ministry of Education has invited NGOs and private
printing companies to help.
The ministry, which has printed a supplementary reading book,
recently invited organizations that provide books to children to
review the new publication and discuss their own work.
Ministry officials said they were looking for ideas abut what kind
of material to include in future supplementary books. Five agencies
responded with a range of folk tales and stories they have produced
for children.
One Cambodian folk tale, produced by Soutien a I' Initiative Prive
des Pays du Sud-Eat Asia tique pour I'Aide a la Reconstruction,
tells the story of three children abandoned in the forest by their
mother, who runs off to live with a thief.}
The story teaches children to stick together and love each other in
the face of adversity, says kindergarten teacher Yim Vanny.
Hok Sothik, chief of SIPAR's library program, said, "We have
produced a lot of books for children to read, There is a deficiency
of reading books" in Cambodia.
Since its inception in 1991, SIPAR has opened 50 school
libraries in seven provinces to encourage children to read. But even
though SIPAR's programs are going well, other areas of the country
lack books, he said.
Teachers urged parents to encourage their children to read, noting
that children who learn to love reading will continue to learn
throughout their lives.
Hoeun Sothea appears to be getting that message already.
The 12-year old said she likes reading books because reading
"shows me about the world and helps improve my knowledge." |
