14 January
The Information and Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Information, the Basic Education Department, and the district management committee jointly opened the Children’s Literature Festival, Exhibition, and Book Sale at a high school in Sagaing, Sagaing Region, yesterday.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Union Minister for Information, Dr. Pe Myint, said his ministry serves as the base for organizing children’s literature festivals in various places at township, district, and region/state levels.
“Thanks to cooperation from other ministries, organizations, and donors, the festivals are gaining success. The Information Ministry alone cannot bring about such a degree of success. The festival will nurture reading among youth. It is due to the earnest participation of the Ministry of Education that the Information Ministry can hold the festival together with the Basic Education Department. The concerned regions or states are also rendering their assistance to make the festival a success,” he said.
“The development of reading among children is a national concern. It involves us, parents, and teachers. Hence, the ardent involvement of all stakeholders is essential,” he said.
“The goal of the festival has two parts. The first is to achieve immediate benefits, which mean the joyful and active participation of a large number of children. So, the children will have at least a joyful and thrilling memory that will last through their life. The festival will introduce them to books.
The second is to give them the pleasure of reading and inculcate the spirit of unity and enthusiasm,” he added.
“Every festival includes of a lot of games which give children experience and knowledge. The long-term goal of the festival is to produce upright and ingenious citizens, imbued with wisdom and knowledge, for the country,” he said.
“Nowadays, the country is encouraging all children, including those who have not attended any class, to have an interest in literature. Programs are under way to hold summer reading tables with the assistance of teachers, librarians, and literature enthusiasts during the long holidays to promote the reading habit among children,” he added.
Union Minister Dr. Pe Myint, Deputy Minister U Aung Hla Tun, Region Social Affairs Minister Dr. Zaw Win, Pyithu Hluttaw Representative U Khin Maung Thein, Director-General of IPRD U Ye Naing, and two outstanding students formally opened the festival. This was followed by a photo session. Thereafter, students sang the theme song.
Region Social Affairs Minister Dr. Zaw Win and Region MP Daw Su Myat also gave speeches at the event.
The Union Minister presented a certificate of honor to the Chairman of the Gems Entrepreneurs Association (Sagaing) for their assistance in holding the festival.
Afterwards, students sang songs and performed dances. The Union Minister, the Deputy Minister, and officials visited the booths and watched the entertainment programs by children. The festival will end at 5 p.m. today. — Min Htet Aung (Mann Sub-printing House) (Translatey by TMT)
