Duterte to book experts: Let’s revive reading, writing’s appeal among youth

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte will work with National Book Development Board (NBDB) to bring back the appeal of reading and writing to the Filipino youth.

Duterte wants to do this by acquiring high-quality reading materials for students.

She announced on Tuesday the partnership with NBDB after officials of Department of Education (DepEd) met with the board and various local book publishers.

They exchanged ideas on how to “rekindle the interest of Filipino youth in reading and writing.”

“Pangatlong meeting na po natin sa Kagawaran sa kanila,” the Vice President said in a statement.

(This is our third meeting of the Department with them.)

“Sinabi ko na gawing regular ang ganitong diyalogo sapagkat malaki ang kontribusyon nila, lalo na sa pagbibigay ng mga kalidad na materyales sa pagbabasa kagaya ng mga aklat,” she noted.

(I said dialogues like these must be regular because their contribution is significant, especially in providing quality reading materials like books.)

“Mahalaga ito dahil isa sa mga prayoridad ng programa natin ay ang pagbabasa,” she added.

(This important is because one of our priorities in our program is the encouragement of reading.)

NBDB is an agency under DepEd tasked to promote the book publishing industry.

DepEd and NBDB also discussed how to use modern technology so that students will receive quality education.

Duterte said the board also expressed support for the department’s ‘Matatag’ curriculum, recognizing it as a change that will enhance learning in the country.

‘Matatag’ is a revised basic education curriculum under K-12 program that covers kindergarten up to Grade 10.

Under the curriculum, the lessons focus on five important skills.

These competencies are language, reading and literacy, mathematics, makabansa (national identity), and good manners and right conduct.