PNG’s illiteracy rate high: Official

The Office of the National Library and Archives launched this year’s National Book Week yesterday.
National Library and Archives director-general Kakaito Kasi said the illiteracy rate in PNG was “very high”.
“That’s why the slogan for this year’s National Book Week is Read, which stands for read, educate, advance and develop,” Kasi said.
He said when you read a book, you educate yourself to become more advanced and developed.
Kasi said the National Library and Archives was playing an important role in nation-building.
He also acknowledged the Government, schools and churches for role in the community.
“In every church service, the congregation reads the Bible together and that encourages them to read,” Kasi said.
Department of Provincial and Local Level Governments acting Secretary Dickson Guina said information was power.
“We can make a difference if we educate our population,” he said.
“It’s the people who make up this nation so it is important to develop human resources.
“A lot of people say children are leaders of tomorrow but I’d like to say they are leaders of today.
“This week is an important week for us to inform our children that they are leaders of today and they can make changes by being good leaders through reading and receiving an education.”