In anticipation of National Reading Day on March 11, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport has urged relevant ministries, institutions, civil society organisations and public and private educational bodies to motivate their employees, staff, students and the wider public to engage in activities to help the youth develop good reading habits.
Education minister Hang Chuon Naron gave the directives as part of the celebration’s guidelines.
He emphasised that the observance of the day is intended to foster reading habits, enhance the reading culture, improve skills and composition and contribute to the preservation and strengthening of Khmer culture and civilisation.
He stated that the education and higher education departments must direct all public and private educational institutions to encourage reading books, newspapers or other materials in classrooms, school grounds and libraries on March 11 every year.
Chuon Naron said they should also endeavour to commemorate the day within their respective units as extensively as possible.
The minister instructed the capital and provincial education departments, all public and private educational institutions, capital, provincial and district administrations, expert departments and private sector enterprises to encourage officials, employees and workers to read books or any documents in their offices or libraries from 8-9am on the day, annually.
“Banners, slogans or pictures related to National Reading Day should be displayed on school buildings and educational institutions and celebrate the event at respective locations as much as possible,” he added.
The ministry also organised a reading competition, poetry recitation and composition contests, after which, national champions will receive the Samdech Techo Hun Sen Award.
Categories for the competitions include reading for students in Grades 4 to 6, poetry recitation for students in Grades 7 to 9 and compositions for students in Grades 10 to 12.
The ministry also announced that the competition and evaluation of winners in the three national categories will take place from March 9-10 each year at locations designated by the authority.
The selection and announcement of winners, from first to third place, will take place on March 11.
