The Leitura em Família initiative has mobilized 22 schools in Sao Tome and Principe, including three in the autonomous region of Principe, to promote literacy and preserve oral traditions. This is the third edition of the contest, which aims to encourage reading habits and improve literacy levels in the country. The initiative is a partnership between the Portuguese School of Sao Tome and Principe, the National Library, the NGO Helpo, and Porto Editora.
The contest involves families participating in a reading competition, with books provided by the Portuguese School and Porto Editora. Families practice reading at home and then participate in the contest. According to Helena Massano, a librarian at the Portuguese School, the goal is to promote reading habits in families and preserve oral traditions. The project also aims to strengthen family bonds and promote cultural identity.
The initiative also seeks to preserve and value Santomean oral traditions, which are considered a fundamental component of national cultural identity. Marlene José, director of the National Library, emphasized the importance of storytelling in families and the need to recover a practice from the past. The project partners share this vision, highlighting the need for families to come together around a book to rescue stories from the past.
The project also aims to create conditions to facilitate access to books in different regions of the country. Manuela Costeira, director of the Portuguese School of Sao Tome and Principe, highlighted the goal of creating mini-libraries in all primary schools in Sao Tome and Principe. This will help to promote reading habits and improve literacy levels in the country.
For the promoters of the initiative, reading is an indispensable tool for personal, academic, and professional development. It also plays a fundamental role in the formation of conscious citizens committed to the progress of society. Helena Massano emphasized that initiatives like this, developed from an early age, will produce positive results in the future.
The Leitura em Família initiative has been gaining momentum in Sao Tome and Principe, with the grand final of the third edition scheduled for July. The project has the support of various partners, including the Portuguese School, the National Library, and the NGO Helpo. The initiative aims to promote literacy and preserve oral traditions, contributing to the development of the country.
The project has several key objectives, including promoting reading habits, preserving oral traditions, and strengthening family bonds. The initiative also aims to create mini-libraries in primary schools and promote literacy levels in the country. With the support of its partners, Leitura em Família is expected to have a positive impact on the development of Sao Tome and Principe.
Key points
- 22 schools in Sao Tome and Principe join Leitura em Família to boost literacy and preserve oral traditions
- The initiative aims to promote reading habits, preserve oral traditions, and strengthen family bonds
- The project also seeks to create mini-libraries in primary schools to promote literacy levels in the country
