Dubai: Reader’s Paradise, an inventive book rental library that is accessible online will be highlighted in a Back to School event taking place at Meydan in September.
The event which will take place from September 13-15, will provide an informative and entertaining environment focusing on the importance of reading in our technological age.
“Taking part in Back to School is a wonderful opportunity for us at Reader’s Paradise as this event is paramount in reaching audiences in a family-focused arena that speaks to the ambitions of parents, children, teachers and those who take an interest in aiding learning and growth,” said Rashi Panjabi, Co-Founder of Reader’s Paradise.
Parents, teachers, and children will be able to discuss new options to encourage children and teenagers to learn through reading for pleasure. The groups will also seek new solutions to further integrate reading in the upcoming academic year.
“Reading a variety of books, whether in school or at home, challenges the brain to think in new directions and absorb new concepts which is of course essential for cognitive learning,” Panjabi added.
The online library which has a diverse selection of over 10,000 books, also offers a free book delivery and pick-up service across Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman. The library can be easily browsed by logging in on to www.readersparadise-me.com.
Further efforts
Along with Reader’s Paradise, the Ministry of Education is also extending its efforts to combat the lessening focus on reading in formal education by working on initiatives to improve reading habits in the UAE.
With the increase in easy access to technology and less leisure reading time being offered at some schools, children and teenagers in the UAE are showing less interest in reading.
Recent international test results from the Programme for International Student Assessment (Pisa) showed that nearly twice as many 15-year-old boys as girls in the UAE have poor reading skills.
Christine Weaver, Exhibition and Sponsorship Manager at Congress Solutions International, organisers of Back to School, explained that reading plays a key role in creating positive attitudes to learning while facilitating language development from an early age.
She further emphasised its importance when children are interacting in an environment with multiple languages and cultures.
“It has become imperative for us to create awareness about the importance of these benefits and what they can do for children here in the UAE. We are delighted to provide a platform at Back to School where we can help to achieve this,” she added.
