November is National Reading Month in the Philippines. Elementary and secondary
schools all across the country will be celebrating this special month, thanks to the
Department of Education’s Memorandum #44-2011. The most exciting part of this month
is National Reading Day, also known as “Araw ng Pagbasa,” which falls on November
27th. This day is especially important because it’s declared by Republic Act 10556, signed
into law by the late former President Benigno Aquino III.
Sadly, in the past five years, many Filipino students have struggled with understanding
what they read. Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio mentioned
that this problem got worse because of the long school closures during the COVID-19
pandemic. But the good news is that National Reading Month reminds us of the
importance of reading in education.
Reading is like opening a door to a world of knowledge and imagination. It helps us learn
new things, improve our language skills, and be better at understanding the world around
us. So, during this National Reading Month, let’s celebrate the joy of reading and
encourage everyone, especially the young ones, to pick up a book and explore the
wonders that lie within its pages. Happy National Reading Month!