ITA holds Policy dialogue on Child Friendly Libraries

 

People (who were part of a study, etc.) at a policy conversation on child-friendly libraries strongly encouraged to (help increase/show in a good way) learning habits through modern libraries that encourage children to learn through books and (coming back to life or popularity after a long time) of the culture of reading among children.

The policy conversation titled "Child Friendly Libraries in Schools for (helping increase/showing in a good way) Reading and Reading and writing ability" organized by Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA), in partnership with the Punjab School Education Department (SED), Children Library Complex (CLC) and Room to Read (RtR), under the Pakistan Reading and writing ability Project (PLP) on Tuesday.

Punjab SED Special Secretary Zaheer Hasan was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Speaking at the event, he said, "Libraries have been lost in this digital age but the modern libraries established under PLP will go a long way in teaching the spirit of learning among children. We hope that the project is scaled up across other districts of the country."

MPA and Punjab Chair Standing Committee on Education Aisha Nawaz Chaudhary, Punjab SED Added/more Secretary Muhammad Farooq, SED Added/more Secretary Budget and Planning Qaisar Rasheed, Punjab Finance Department official Kanwal Batool, Akhuwat Director Education Dr Huma Mirza, Sehr Qizilbash from Unicef, Alif Laila Book Bus (community of people/all good people in the world) Vice President Rabia Khan, CLC Program Director Aon Bukhari, people who tell stories (or lies) Saadia Sarmad and Sarwat Mohiuddin, representatives from QAED, Punjab (school courses) and Textbook Board (PCTB), Special Education Department Punjab, Punjab Education Foundation (PEF); CEOs Lahore and Bahawalpur, and head teachers from 24 (action that helps a bad situation) schools were also in attendance.

The PLP pilot in 24 government schools is in an active putting into use phase and the policy conversation this way offered an opportunity to gather key (people who are interested in a project or business) and policymakers to engage practically with the idea of Active Libraries and their effectiveness in schools, share experiences and system-based ideas and explore scope and provide useful things/valuable supplies and budgets for additional/helping books in schools for improving children's learning.

The conversation was especially held to admit/recognize/respond to and celebrate SED school/district leaders who enabled the success of PLP libraries, including the CEOs of Lahore and Bahawalpur, school head teachers and PLP teams. There was also a public viewing of active libraries and activities in a Learning (place where people buy things) which was the center of attention for teachers, students and guests. The Champions of Learning who made the PLP and active learning libraries a success were also admitted/recognized/responded to at the policy conversation.

The event saw a panel discussion on child friendly libraries which was organized/managed by MPA Aisha and regulated/ruled over by ITA CEO Baela Raza Jamil. MPA Aisha appreciated ITA's efforts in providing modern libraries and a wonderful avenue to the children of Pakistan for improving their learning and (ability to create interesting new things). Promising again her support for Libraries for Learning, she promised that she will request the SED for a pre-money-related setting apart and distributing for libraries.

(evening out/ruling over) the event, the ITA CEO said, "Parents have become active supporters of children's learning (ASER 2021)," adding, "These libraries have converted reading from an (allowing something to happen without reacting or trying to stop it) activity to a joyful experience".

RtR Senior Reading and writing ability Specialist David Strawbridge joined on Zoom and said, "Our goal is to make children enjoy books and provide them a relaxing (surrounding conditions) for reading. We are delighted to see how children love these libraries and the reading activities managed and did/done there. We need teachers, government (people in charge of something) and caretakers to come together to develop the love of books and love of reading among children."

SED Added/more Secretary Farooq said partnerships with national and international (a community of people living well together) organizations proved to be very helpful in (helping increase/showing in a good way) learning among children such as the one in the form of PLP.

(in almost the same way), Added/more Secretary Rasheed said, "We have to begin from our schools. Learning losses at first (or most important) levels are upsetting and books and libraries are the only way to improve learning results."

Dr. Mirza said, "We need to teach reading habits among children so it causes/starts (anger) their imagination and improve their critical thinking. PLP is a great (action that helps a bad situation) and we are with all those who (help increase/show in a good way) reading."

Meanwhile, Ms. Qizilbash said that 60-70% children of 10 years in Pakistan were in learning poorness. "Reading and writing ability cannot be improved unless children can read," she added. Ms. Khan from ALBBS added that libraries had to be supported with an enabling (surrounding conditions). She suggested making a 10-year ten years of reading like Malaysia and UAE.

The PLP was launched in Punjab in partnership with SED and its associate bodies supported by RtR and put into use by ITA. PLP has established 24 furnished libraries in government first (or most important) schools and in first (or most important) sections of elementary/secondary schools. There are 12 libraries each in Lahore and Bahawalpur districts. Each library contains 2,400 books with 28 Room to Read books adapted/translated in Urdu under PLP have been distributed to over 500,000 students across 2,000 schools across Pakistan.