By Ali G. Macabalang

KIDAPAWAN CITY – A public elementary school here and stakeholders have launched a reading center to enhance reading ability of enrollees, their parents and other interested residents.

The Sibug Memorial Elementary Schools (SMES) administration partnered with its host barangay Sudapin council, parents-teachers association and students’ governing council in establishing the center last April, according to Dr. Julieta S. Raz, SMES principal.

The establishment of the reading center is pursuant to the City Schools Division Program dubbed: “Brigada Bawat Bata Bumasa (4Bs), Dr. Raz said.

Partnering workers were upbeat about boosting the learners reading ability with the guidance of teachers and parent volunteers, spending time to read at the center, and fostering a culture of reading, she said.

In a statement titled “Sibug MES Bahay Aklatan: Refuge for troubled readers,” Dr. Raz said the center will benefit in particular residents “struggling” to read, and redound to achieving high literacy in the community.

The launch of the center came with a community pantry, during which the Sta. Catalina Multi-Purpose, MEMBA Inc., the Sangguniaang Kabataan of Barangay Sudapin, the SMES Teachers Association, the Barangay Council, and the Alpha Phi Omega (APO) fraternity and sorority distributed schools supplies and nutrient foods for children and used clothing for parents, said Raz, an active APO alumni-member.

City Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Natividad G. Ocon, through Division Reading Coordinator Dr. Gina Fe B. Patenio, has reportedly commended the SMES administration and Barangay Sudapin Chairman Jon Karl T. Sibug for their joint conduct of “innovative interventions” towards building a “culture of reading.”

Dr. Raz said the joint initiatives have formed part of the SMES “best practices” she believed will be replicated in other schools in this city and across North Cotabato. (AGM)