Advocates focus on PH reading crisis

A COALITION of over 100 reading advocacy organizations and educators across the Philippines aims to address the country's reading crisis and chart a collaborative path forward to improve literacy nationwide. The National Alliance of Reading Advocates (NARA) announced on Tuesday that it will hold its inaugural conference on Saturday, Nov. 23, at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila. The NARA conference is convened by the National Book Development Board (NBDB) to confront these issues head-on. It will serve as a platform for advocates, educators, and policymakers to share innovative solutions and collaborate on strategies to improve the country's reading culture. Daniel Mariano, chief of the NBDB's Readership Development Division and secretariat for NARA, said the conference, with the theme "Pamitinan ng Lingkod-Mambabasa," draws inspiration from the Pamitinan Cave located at the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountain range. This limestone cave, rich in history and symbolism, reflects the hope to inspire a unified movement for reading and literacy in the Philippines. Mariano said the theme underscores the importance of collective action to spark change and cultivate a nationwide culture of readership. "We have gathered reading advocates from across the nation for a very important reason: We want them to talk and cooperate with each other. Our nation's readership problem is multifaceted, which means it cannot be addressed by a single entity or the government alone," Mariano said as he emphasized the importance of collaboration in solving the reading crisis. He added that the NBDB is committed to exhausting all possible means to advance Philippine readership through collaboration and innovation. The conference will feature discussions, presentations, and workshops aimed at fostering partnerships and scaling effective literacy programs throughout the country. The conference will kick off with a plenary session on the State of the Reading Nation, providing an overview of the current literacy landscape in the Philippines. This session will examine the root causes of the reading crisis, explore successful literacy initiatives, and assess the role of schools, communities, and government institutions in improving reading outcomes. One of the highlights of the event will be the ratification and formal declaration of the NARA Agenda, a comprehensive roadmap designed to address the critical issues affecting literacy in the Philippines. This cornerstone document will outline strategic goals and action points. In addition to discussing national strategies, the conference will showcase successful, innovative literacy programs from various regions. These programs will offer valuable lessons and best practices that can be replicated or scaled across the country. A special emphasis will be placed on initiatives that incorporate technology, community engagement, and local content to improve literacy. Networking sessions will also allow attendees to connect with like-minded advocates, educators, and policymakers, opening the door for future partnerships and collaborative projects. Charisse Aquino-Tugade, executive director of the NBDB, said that the Philippines' reading crisis has been a persistent issue, with significant challenges in both literacy rates and reading comprehension, particularly in underprivileged areas. Recent assessments, including data from the Department of Education (DepEd) and international literacy studies, have highlighted the widespread struggle among Filipino students to meet basic reading standards. These difficulties are compounded by factors such as poverty, lack of access to resources, and inconsistent quality of education across regions. Aquino-Tugade said the conference was a critical step toward advancing the nation's reading culture.