Education stakeholders continue to be concerned about the performance of the country's primary school students on the PSE.
This year's results show that half of the over 7,000 test takers got an "E" in mathematics, and and a third got and "E" in English. An "E" means that the test takers got an inadequate grade, somewhere around 50%.
Today, the telecommunications company, Smart, joined those who want to help children to develop better reading habits.
They commissioned a children's book called "Do the Smart Thing", and 3 school teachers produced short stories to be featured in it. They're all positive and fun stories aimed at captivating these young people, in a time where electronic distractions are everywhere.
Smart launched the book at the Biltmore Plaza hotel, and we stopped by to find out a bit more:
Adelaide Sabido - PR and Branding, SMART
"There is a lot of weakness that we see in the language arts curriculum in our education system. And like one of our teachers shared, on one of the morning shows this past week, Language Arts shouldn't be something difficult. It is all around us. Language is all around us. We speak; we communicate every day, but if we teach the fundamentals of reading, and encourage young students to read, then in there academics, they won't have it as difficult to comprehend, to develop their writing skills, and to make the Language Arts curriculum very easy for themselves. So, with that being said, Smart took it upon ourselves, as corporate citizenship, to promote reading and a fun avenue to it."
Anna Wong - Teacher/Writer
"As a teacher, recently, we've been observing that reading in the classroom is not being done. Well, the kids are not reading the way they should, due to technology, their gadgets now. But, my story is to encourage children to read. The story tells us nothing is impossible because "Maria Smart" was a child that was raised in a community where reading was not important for them, but she made it her business to make sure that she receives and education, and later in her life, she became a professional. And she helped children to become professionals as adults."
Dr. Carol Babb - Chief Education Officer
"I want to thank Smart. As a corporate sponsor, you're doing the right thing. You're doing the smart thing. But literacy is indeed in need of help, and we need everyone onboard. We need all hands on deck. About 25% or more of our children are not reading at their grade level. As Mr. Mahler said, the footballer was good because he was able to practice. Reading is like any other skill, to become good at reading, we need to practice. We need to have books. We need to have the right environment. We need to have supporting teachers, supporting parents."
As you heard, SMART says that they will be engaging in a tour of the primary schools countrywide to promote the book, and provide access to as many students as possible.
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