…Read-Aloud to students
To commemorate the Year 2020 Children’s Day, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu
Read-Aloud to children through virtual online social media platforms due to the COVID-19 pandemic
which led to the global closure of schools.
The Read-Aloud is the initiative of the Lagos State Government, Office of Education Quality Assurance
designed for children at the age bracket of primary school to encourage the habit of reading, derive joy in
reading, increase knowledge and improve comprehension and increase attention span.
Speaking at the virtual Children’s Day Celebration, Mr Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu applauded the
concept and commended parent for taking out time to read with their children. Reading from the book
“Why Do You Wash Hands” by Olubunmi Aboderin Talabi, Mr Governor encouraged pupils to always
wash their hands after using the toilet, after playing outside with friends, after playing with pets, after
changing the diaper and after touching the bin. He assured the children that school will soon resume.
The Director General, Office of Education Quality Assurance, Mrs Abiola Seriki-Ayeni, disclosed that the
programme was initiated to bridge the identified reading gap among school pupils, revealing that the
information available shows that there have not been enough time allotted to reading during school
hours and outside school.In addition, Read-Aloud is common instructional practice used by many
teachers worlwide.
Further speaking about the idea behind ‘Today a Reader, Tomorrow a Leader’, the Director-General
stated that this technique is used towards making inferences, analyzing characters, increasing interest,
making predictions and asking questions. Read-Aloud models for children the habits that good readers
imbibe. Read-Aloud, Lagos will enhance children literacy and development of the child’s brain to
associate with books and prints with pleasure. While celebrating the children on this special day through
the launch of the Read-Aloud, Lagos, the Office of Education Quality Assurance also advocated for
students/pupils safety and also educate for the awareness and importance of a healthy childhood.
Read-Aloud maiden broadcast featured special edition to commenserate Children’s Day where different
dignitaries including Mr. Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, read to the students. Several
other dignitaries included the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo, the
Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Universal Education Board, Mr Wahab Alawiye-King, Tutor
General/Permanent Secretary, Education District II, Mrs Anike Adekanye, the Director General, Office of
Education Quality Assurance, Mrs Abiola Seriki-Ayeni, Mrs Bola Tinubu, founder, the Cece Yara
Foundation, Miss Aramide Abe, founder, NaijaStartups among of others.
According to Mrs Abiola Seriki-Ayeni, plans have been concluded to begin the programme officially by
June 1st, 2020 and it will be a continuous remote engagement targeted at children that will be accessible
in different languages. Read-Aloud, Lagos according to her will also encourage children and families to
perform Read-Aloud with their children for 20 minutes each day.
Olaniran Emmanuel
Public Affairs
Office of Education Quality Assurance
Lagos State Ministry of Education