The Directorate of Education is putting strategies in place to improve reading skills among learners, particularly those in lower grades. 

This call was made at the official launch of the National Readathon in Katima Mulilo. 

The Education Director for the Zambezi region, Alex Sikume, said last year the country recorded only 28% of learners who met the minimum literacy pass rate of 40% in Grade 3. 

"Her Excellency, our President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, declared poor reading skills a national emergency. This was declared in Otjo last year when Namibia hosted the End of Learning Poverty Conference. It was declared a national emergency because our literacy levels, particularly at the foundation level, are very low. It was noted that 70% of school-going children aged 10 are unable to read a simple text with understanding."

Sikume urged learners and teachers to make the most of the available resources to cultivate a stronger reading culture. 

This year's event is celebrated under the theme "Read Namibia, Embrace Technology within the Education Sector." 

Acting Chief Librarian Bianca Basson encouraged schools to integrate books and technology to strengthen learning.

"Let us make our libraries centres for reading, digital learning, research and creativity, and provide the needed support to our teachers and librarians as they help us navigate the world of technology and prepare our learners for the future."

Meanwhile, Zambezi regional governor Dorothy Kabula called for digital inclusion, particularly for rural learners. 

"Even where internet access is limited, schools can make use of offline digital resources, downloaded educational materials, electronic books and locally stored learning content."