A territory-wide project was launched yesterday to promote good reading habits among children.
As part of the scheme, outreach teams will be sent to all schools in September to help with applications for library cards. Deputy Director of Education Anthony Tong Kai-hong said 100,000 nomination forms would be available for the public to recommend good books for children to read. Leaflets for parental guidance for children's reading activities will be issued in August.
'Reading skills are crucial for the concept of lifelong learning and the project aims to nurture children's reading habits,' he said.
Ip Cho-yin, chairman of the Taskforce on Promotion of Learning through Reading under the Board of Education, said: 'The reading project is aimed at children under the age of eight. According to science and education literature, the ages between zero and eight are critical for developing children's reading habits.
'We have not done that well in the past. We will put the emphasis on encouraging parental participation in children's reading activities,' he said.
Some parents had said there were not enough books suitable for children under eight in public libraries, Mr Ip said.
