By ERWIN ‘AMBO’ DELILAN
THE CITY of Silay in the Province Negros Occidental has a unique reading gimmick. It’s the “Read for Rice to Rise” (3Rs). It’s the city’s reading intervention among those classified as Frustration Level Readers (FLRs) in the secondary level. They’ll be taught how to read, especially in English. Each beneficiary will receive a kilo of rice right after every reading session.
Definitely awesome. Kinda hitting two birds with one stone – solving the reading problem and at the same time addressing hunger.
The 3Rs is Silay’s response to Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte’s challenge to make every school kid a “reading champion”.
And in line with DepEd’s (Department of Education) program “Matatag: Bansang Makabata, Batang Makabansa.”
Take note that nine out of 10 kids in the Philippines at late primary age aren’t proficient in reading, the World Bank reported. Sad actuality. Hence, VP Sara urges teachers, parents and education partners to continue setting good examples as reading champions for schoolchildren. And she labelled such a mission as one “critical role” in the country’s literacy quest.
Under Republic Act 10556, every November 27 of the year is a National Reading Day. Purpose of this statute: Let children develop the love for reading.
LAW OF EFFECT
How did Silay come up with this kind of reading gimmick?
The idea was hewn by the English Department of Doña Monserrat Lopez Memorial High School (DMLMHS).
Firstly, it was billed as “Read for Rice” (2Rs) or “Sa Matutum Magbasa, Bugas Paga-batuna” (in Hiligaynon).
Such is an incentivized approach to DMLMHS’ literacy campaign to improve its reading intervention performance.
DMLMH’s latest reading inventory using PHIL-IRI (Philippine Informal Reading Inventory) showed it has a total of 1,179 FLRs. It prompted English teacher Junell Lupo to come up with a practicable reading intervention.
And 3Rs was 8nspired by two formidable theories:
* “Law of Effect” by American psychologist Edward L. Thorndikes – Positive reward increases probability while negative consequence reduces probability that a certain behavior will be repeated in the future.
* “Operant Conditioning” by American psychologist B.F. Skinner – Introduction of a desirable stimulus after a behavior such as reward.
Sans hesitation, DMLMHS’ School Governance Council (SGC) immediately gave its nod to Teacher Junell’s reading intervention concept.
Targeted to be the potential sponsors: Mayor Joedith Gallego, Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP), Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), and other private organizations.
But when the proposal reached Mayor Joedith’s office, there was a twist. Instead of 2Rs, it became 3Rs. And it’ll include reading materials on Silay’s history, tourism and heritage.
Mayor Joedith then tasked Ver Pacete, his consultant on tourism and, at the same time, DMLMHS’ SGC president, to oversee the program.
For a start, the mayor committed seven sacks of rice per month for this three-month reading program. Such already started last month.
If ever the result is good, Sir Ver said the program will somehow be replicated to other schools.
‘BALL OF POSITIVITY’
Reading every detail of 3Rs, I can’t help but be awed. I briefly sat down with Mayor Joedith and asked him some “points” related to the program. His candidness was superb. Too, his passion for education is unequivocal. Truly, he’s a “ball of positivity” for Silaynons.
“Gusto ko tanan nga Silaynon makahibalo gid magbasa,” he said.
Yes, let’s be conscious that Filipinos’ reading ability nowadays is dwindling. Lots of factors are to be considered, per DepEd. But the “heinous” among was the COVID-19 pandemic. And DepEd’s post-pandemic assessment revealed reading or literacy among school kids was really “at loss”.
But Philippines ain’t alone. Around the world, due to COVID-19, there’s this literacy dilemma. Hence, almost all nations are now “scampering” how to effectively address the world reading crisis.
Silaynons must be grateful to DMLMH’s generic initiative, likewise, to Mayor Joedith’s uninhibited support meant for a “greater cause”: No Silaynon kids will be left out in the reading mission. Remarkable, indeed!
Why? Because reading skill-slash-comprehension is an asset.
And why we need to read, read, and read?
Because reading improves one’s focus, memory, empathy, and communication skills.
Through reading, study shows, one can also learn new things that help him/her succeed in work and relationships.
And believe it or not, reading reduces stress, improves mental health and helps human beings live longer./PN
