Reading habit promotion: MOI UM attended the opening ceremony

Union Minister for Information U Maung Maung Ohn attended the opening ceremony of the Library Development and Reading Habit Promotion Festival held at No. 1, Basic Education High School in Yemathin Township, Mandalay Region.

The festival is aimed to foster the development of school libraries, encourage students to engage with books and literature, and promote the sharing of knowledge acquired through reading.

The festival is commenced with cutting the ceremonial ribbon to inaugurate the archway by the Union Minister, the Mandalay Region Minister for Natural Resources, and the Minister for Social Affairs, along with other concerned officials. They then took documentary photos, together with festival attendees and provided cash assistance to the participating dance troupes.

The ceremony continued in the school hall with the performance of the song "Let's Go to the Library of Knowledge Bank" by the students from No. 5 Basic Education High School followed by a video presentation titled "Enriching Our Vision for the Nation’s Interest."

Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman of the Myanmar Libraries Development Cooperation Committee, Union Minister, underscored that young students are the endless treasures of the nation and must be nurtured to their highest potential. He emphasized that early exposure to books and literature is crucial as it imparts essential knowledge.

The Union Minister noted that reading habit promotion festivals are currently being held nationwide to encourage greater literary engagement. He stressed the need for collective effort to cultivate strong reading habit.

Then, the Union Minister donated 5 sets of DTH satellite and 15 DVB-T2 set-top boxes to basic education high schools and middle schools in Yemathin township.  Following the student performance from No. 5 Basic Education High School, artist Daw Swe Zin Htike delivered a lecture titled "Explore the Richness of Literature in school age".

After that, the Region Information and Public Relations Department donated books and publications to the library of No. 1 Basic Education High School in Yemathin. No. (1) Basic Education High School students performed a song and were presented with cash of honor for their contribution.

The Union Minister and party then toured book displays, departmental galleries, photo exhibitions, and various contests, including storytelling, essays, coloring, quizzes, impromptu talks and games.