Tema Kindergarten pupils compete in jolly phonic reading

By Laudia Sawer

Tema, Feb 28, GNA --- The Tema Metropolitan Education Directorate has organized its maiden jolly phonic reading contest for pupils of the 47 public kindergarten schools in the Metropolis.

The competition, which started from the 12 circuits, through semi-finals, saw St John Bosco School, and Star Basic KG emerging winners for KG2 and KG1 categories respectively during the finals on Tuesday.

Madam Elizabeth Akowuah, Early Childhood Coordinator for the Education Directorate, told the Ghana News Agency that, the competition was introduced to increase the children’s interest in reading at an early age.

Madam Akowuah said a visit to the schools in the Metropolis two years ago, revealed that most of the pupils were unable to read simple words, a situation she described as heartbreaking.

She therefore organized free training sessions for all KG teachers in the Metropolis on how to teach phonic reading at the pre-school level and subsequently introduced the contest.

She commended the teachers and circuit supervisors for ensuring that the pupils in the public schools were gradually developing the interest in reading like their colleagues in the private schools.

The Coordinator noted that a good foundation in reading at an early age would enable pupils to read and learn without any difficulties.

She encouraged parents to buy supplementary readers for their children and ensure that they read at home at least 30 minutes every day.

Madam Akowuah appealed to corporate organizations and individuals to support the Education Directorate to sustain the contest.

Mrs Charity Daddah, KG2 teacher at St John Bosco, said jolly phonics was a fun way of studying reading, adding that she taught it daily to boost the interest of the children.

GNA

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