International Literacy Day celebrates the joy of reading
THIS International Literacy Day on Sept 8, students at Papa Primary School in Central continue to celebrate the joy of reading, and building essential literacy skills, with support from the PNGAus Partnership.
Developing a love of reading from an early age helps all boys, girls and children with a disability strengthen the skills they need to succeed at school and throughout their lives.
For Grade 2 student Leilani, reading is about much more than words on a page. Her favourite book, Peter's Lucky Day, helps bring stories to life through its combination of pictures and text.
“I like the book because it has pictures with words that make me understand better,” she said.
Grade 1 pupil Petronillah is equally enthusiastic about reading. Her favourite book, Changing Weather, teaches children about rainy, sunny and foggy days.
“It has lots of pictures, and I learned new words,” she said.
Leilani and Petronillah’s experiences highlight the important role that books and supportive learning environments play in helping children develop literacy skills. Access to engaging reading materials can inspire curiosity, strengthen comprehension, and encourage children to see reading as an enjoyable part of everyday life.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of International Literacy Day, with the theme Literacy for people, the planet and prosperity. The day is a reminder that literacy is a fundamental human right, and a powerful foundation for education, opportunity, and personal growth.
For many children in Papua New Guinea, books offer much more than the chance to learn how to read. They spark imagination, build confidence, and open doors to new ideas and experiences.
Working alongside schools across Papua New Guinea, the PNGAus Partnership is helping expand access to quality reading materials and strengthen teacher practices, so that more children become confident readers and lifelong learners.
By supporting schools with literacy resources and strengthening teaching practice, the PNGAus Partnership is helping more children build reading skills, confidence and curiosity they need to thrive in school and beyond.
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