Put down your phone, pick up a book

IT has been observed that the habit of reading has declined of late in the world.
One of the main causes for this decline is the growth of technology.
Since the arrival of smartphones and tablets, most school children in Papua New Guinea have turned their backs on the value of reading.
Instead of reading a good story book in their leisure hours, they are busy playing with these high-tech gadgets.
Most children, especially in the cities and towns, would rather communicate with their friends via Facebook or listen to rap and hip hop music on their smartphones than spend quality time reading and learning to write proper English.
English is rapidly becoming a lingua franca in international communication for commerce and trade, education, science, international relations and tourism.
It is the fastest growing language in the world, with more people speaking English than ever before. Our children must know English in order to keep up with the changing world.
One just has to read through job applications to see the competency of English by the applicant.
Today in Goroka will be the launch of the National Book Week.
Under the theme “Upgrade you knowledge (IQ) – Read” the week is an annual event marked to instill in PNG learners the love and appreciation for books, develop among students essential reading and literacy skills and to promote the use of libraries.
The slogan reflects the increasing importance of books, reading, libraries and literacy upgrading and acquiring one’s knowledge for educational and recreational purposes. Reading books can change our lives.
Unfortunately, it is becoming a rare sight to see a Papua New Guinean child reading a good story book these days.
Fairy tales and adventure stories, which were the most sought-after literature in years gone by, are becoming fast a thing of the past and more like ancient history.
Even if you have read one good book in your life, you will know what reading gives.
It gives you incomparable pleasure. On the other hand, most schools in the country do not have library and the call now is for all MPs to plan, organise, implement and operate Library and Archive Services in all the provinces.
Without a well-educated and skilled population, our nation will not be able to cope with the rapid global changes that are taking place in science, technology, commerce and trade.
Therefore, we must ensure that our children get the basics right and that is to learn English and use it correctly.
PNG is part of the global community and technological advances in communication, such as mobile phones and computers, are part of the winds of change that are blowing the world over.
Buying or not buying your child a smartphone, tablet or laptop computer is a parental decision that bears all kinds of consequences and parents will either gain the benefits or suffer the consequences of their decision.
PNG is blessed with abundant natural resources but its human resource is the key to future growth and prosperity.
We must make sure our children receive a good education from the start and books must be an essential part of that.