On Friday, July 10, thousands of learners across Kenya took part in the National Read Aloud campaign, a nationwide literacy initiative by Storymoja Africa and Start A Library Trust.
This year’s campaign seeks to encourage and teach young learners about human-wildlife coexistence.
The campaign, which first began in 2013, brings together children, teachers, authors and volunteers to read the same story aloud simultaneously.
This year, participants read an excerpt from the book The Boy and the Lion by Mike Saito, a Storymoja publication set in the Maasai Mara. The story uses a young boy’s encounter with a lioness to encourage children to reflect on courage, empathy and the importance of protecting biodiversity.
Participating in this year’s event was Murang’a philanthropist and community leader Dr Stanley Kamau, who called on stakeholders in the education sector to establish and equip libraries in public primary schools to enhance reading among learners.
Speaking at Kaharati Comprehensive School during the National Read Aloud campaign, this year aiming for a world record, Kamau noted that many public primary schools lack functional libraries, limiting learners’ access to reading materials.
He urged stakeholders and well-wishers to donate books that are relevant to the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), warning against dumping outdated or inappropriate books in school libraries.
Sarah Makau, a teacher at the school, welcomed the Read Aloud initiative, saying it will help improve learners’ reading skills and comprehension. She also appealed for better-equipped libraries to give pupils greater access to quality learning materials.
Kaharati Comprehensive School Headteacher Simon Mwangi also praised the initiative, describing it as an important step towards nurturing a reading culture among children and improving literacy levels.
The National Read Aloud campaign has grown into one of Kenya’s biggest literacy movements and aims to promote reading beyond the classroom.
Former campaign patron Dr Auma Obama has previously underscored the importance of reading in shaping young minds.
“The only reason I am the patron of this wonderful initiative is because I believe with all my heart that reading storybooks promotes literacy and critical thinking. Stories invite debate and stimulate the exploration of values and issues affecting how we live with each other. Stories help children develop empathy.”
