Buk Bilong Pikinini Library Learning Center at Tatana sees 30% Increase in Children Progressing into High School

By Lillian Sopera Keneqa – EMTV News, Port Moresby It’s been six years since the Buk bilong Pikinini’s Library Learning Centre at Tatana had been built and it has had a great impact in the community. The children are achieving much better academic results and Tatana has seen a 30% increase in children progressing into high school. One parent said, “It’s like the whole community has become focused on education –we now have children reading at school and coming home with books to read and study.” Tatana Primary School Principal, Daure Gaudi was equally overwhelmed and said: “The Library Learning Centre has helped the community in a strong way because those children who graduate from the Buk Bilong Pikinini program are advanced with their reading and writing compared with the majority that are enrolled directly into our elementary school.” She also made a suggestion, “It would be great if we could boost the LLC’s capacity to enrol more children from the community.” Buk Bilong Pikinini founder Anne-Sophie Hermann said, “Bridging Tok Ples and Tok Pisin speakers into English at age five provides the children with a strong advantage which paired with BbP’s efficient phonics routines allow them to excel and read well beyond their peers..” [caption id="attachment_190353" align="alignright" width="150"] Mahesh Patel, MD CPL Group[/caption] The project is a collaborative effort by the Tatana Community, the Swiss Embassy in Canberra and City Pharmacy Limited (CPL). CPL has just signed on to an additional 5-year sponsorship till 2023. Mr. Patel, MD CPL Group said; “The continued partnership was reviewed, basically on the impact of the Early Childhood Education Program and the Library services rendered to the community of Tatana. He added, “Our sponsorship covers: staff wages, staff training and professional development, provision of books and library resources, Management of Special Events and Awareness Programs and supports BbP’s Head Office management and monitoring costs.”   [gallery size="full" ids="190354,190356,190357"]]]>