National Reading Month 2014 – official theme
Schools around the country will be celebrating this November the annual National Reading Month (check here the Department of Education’s school calendar for 2014-2015). This month-long occasion is usually spearheaded by the schools’ respective English Department.
The designation of November as the National Reading Month was formalized by DepEd in 2011 through Memorandum #244. Read the said memo signed by Secretary Armin Luistro through this link.
Meanwhile, November 27 of each year has been declared as the “Araw ng Pagbasa” (National Reading Day) through Republic Act 10556.
This is in honor of the father of President Benigno Aquino III, the late Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. whose birth date is November 27, 1932. Read the full text of RA 10556 here.
It must be noted at this point that schools had been celebrating English Month every November long before the abovementioned DepEd memo was issued.
This writer, for instance, had actively participated in English month-related activities during his days at the Ramon Magsaysay High School-Manila, winning first place in spelling bee in 2002 and topping the reading comprehension contest in 2005.
According to a video shared by the Facebook page of Araw ng Pagbasa, the following activities are suggested to be held for next month:
November 3 to 7 – “Adopt a Book” campaign, sessions with local storytellers
Nov. 10 to 14 – “My own story,” Reading Academy for Teachers, “Readers are Winners”
Nov. 17 to 21 – Reading Camp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMNpbUFtfNk
Nov. 24 to 28 – “I Caught You Reading,” “Books of Hope”
Nov 27 – Araw ng Pagbasa – a day of learning, stories, and hope (Nationwide storytelling sessions by 9AM)
DepEd has yet to release a memo pertaining to the theme of this year’s National Reading Month. Please check The Filipino Scribe every now and then for updates.
PS: In 2012, I was one of the winners in OMF Literature’s writing contest where participants were asked to write about a book that influenced his/her life. I wrote about Dr. Seuss’ “Oh, The Places You Will Go!” You can read my winning essay here. 🙂
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Deped Memo no. 121, s. 2014 is released with the theme and suggested activities for the national reading month. on november 3, all regions, divisions and schools are to hold a kick off activity through Mystery Reader.