Promoting the Reading Culture, especially among the Youth in Rwanda

Essay Outline:

1.  Introduction:

Background on Rwanda's Reading Culture

2.  Body:

A brief overview of my mission

Results of a poor reading culture on any growing economy

What is the government/private sector doing about it

Effects it has on employment or competence of individuals in general

Proposed solutions and what could be done better

3. Conclusion

Call to action

It is the year 2012 that saw the first partnership between the country of Rwanda and the United States Agency for International Development with the aim of promoting the reading culture in Rwanda. There have been various projects, namely Mureke Dusome, in partnership with Save the Children, 2018, and the most recent one, Ibitabo Kuri Twese. Most of these projects' goals range from equipping adequate reading materials in schools and other learning institutions to bridging the gap between book publishers and booksellers. However, most of them aim to tackle the issue of reading from the bottom, i.e., in lower education institutions like primary schools.

The issue of the reading culture needs something stronger than just a few government projects in order to have a promising future. Such projects have been carried out since 2012, but if we compare the level of competence of a Rwandan graduate to that of a Kenyan or Ugandan graduate, only then can we see that the fruits are not sweet at all. In my opinion, the reading culture is more than just the ability to read and write. It is more of skills and knowledge a learner is equipped with to make them more competent on the job market. Where else can you acquire such knowledge if it is not school? I happen to be born and raised in Rwanda. Fortunately, I wasn't raised like no regular Rwandan child. We were constantly bombarded with books to read, and as soon as you were done with one, in came another. My holidays saw more than just relaxing. I was introduced to one occupation after the other. This was all for the concept of relevance on the job market.

Alvin Toffler put it right when he said, ‘The illiterate of the future will not be those who can’t read or write; but those who can't learn unlearn, and re-learn.' We are in an age where specialization in one specific field is insufficient. I believe it is also less of government intervention and more of personal initiative. The government can do all in its power, but you can still end up like you started if you don't aim at working on what truly develops you and makes you relevant. I believe I have done my part to make my voice heard when it comes to this issue. In 2022, I started up a BlogSpot with the aim of publishing articles that talk about challenges we, as a youth of Rwanda face, and how I believe they can be tackled. But it is surprising that my blog analytics show that interactions are mainly from the older generation (who are quite impressed, by the way) and a few international students I am in touch with. How about the real audience the articles are garnered towards? I have no idea.

After all this, I will share my opinion on what should be done. I believe learners should be exposed to a wide range of reading materials at a lower level, like primary. The government has done its best to achieve this, and there is still more to come. There is evidence from said projects. However, there should be programs that introduce learners to the working environment as well, in the form of internship programs. Such programs should also be relevant to the current age we are in (the information and Big Data age). As for the youth, however, the choice is yours. The government did its part. Do you expect it to help you get a job and raise your family as well? Of course not. You must know where the world is headed and equip yourself with what makes you relevant. Because we are in an age where that degree you waited upon is just a mere piece of paper.

In a nutshell, therefore, there is a saying that goes, 'You can take a cow to the river, but you can't force it to drink water.' We should ask ourselves (as youth), are we satisfied with where we currently are? If yes, that is a plus. Work towards making it better. If not, then what do I need to do to make myself better? Know your situation and find out what needs to change. Charles Darwin put it best when he said, 'It is not the strongest or the most intelligent species that will survive, but the one most adaptable to change.' Your ability to stay relevant in this ever-changing generation is what counts more than the number of degrees you possess.

References:

LEONCE MUVUNYI. (2018, March 9). Poor reading culture among Rwandan children due to no book access. The East African; The East African. https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/rwanda-today/news/poor-reading-culture-among-rwandan-children-due-to-no-book-access-1385616

Rwandapedia Rwanda. (2013). Rwanda Reads - Creating a Reading Culture [YouTube Video]. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J356AivC4CI