More than 230 early grade students from two schools in Naryn and Kochkor district and their parents are taking part in reading events organized with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).  They will read books together, participate in contests and conduct theatrical performances based on the works of Chyngyz Aitmatov. The events help improve reading skills of students and emphasize the importance of parents’ role in fostering children’s interest in reading and love of books.

The event at V.Chkalov School in Naryn will take place on March 15 at 8:50 and O.Aibashov School in Kochkor will take place on March 16 at 10 am.

“We would like to show students the fascinating world of books.  However, student success is a shared achievement of both school and family.  That is why we envision parents as partners in the learning process.  We encourage parents to support their children and contribute time to joint reading and discussion of book heroes thus forming basic analytical skills and a habit of reading”, says Aichurok Samakova, Director of the V.Chkalov School.

The event is organized under USAID’s Time to Read program, a $7.9 million initiative aimed at improving the foundational reading skills of students in grades 1– 4.  In cooperation with Ministry of Education and Science, the project works in 900 schools across the country and trains more than 8,000 teachers and other education specialists on international best practices of teaching reading.  The project will also provide students with a variety of quality instructional resources, including grade-appropriate supplementary student reading materials.