Minister of Public Utilities and Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Barry Padarath, is urging parents and educators not to allow digital devices to replace reading, warning that children must continue developing literacy skills through books.
Speaking after a reading session hosted by the National Library and Information System Authority (NALIS) on Wednesday, he underscored the importance of fostering a love for reading among children, noting that many young people are becoming increasingly attached to screens rather than books.
“I have a six-year-old myself, and the attachment that they have to these devices – sometimes it is impossible to separate them from, but it is necessary, and therefore an initiative like this is something that I fully support.”
As part of the NALIS initiative, students of Moulton Hall Methodist School were treated to a special storytelling experience as the Minister read from three local storybooks: ‘The Black Lake’, ‘Ibis Stew, Oh No!’ and ‘Alex the Awesome and the Crazy Quest for the Golden Pod’.
Through the stories, students were introduced to some of Trinidad and Tobago’s treasured landmarks and symbols, including the Pitch Lake, the national bird and the country’s world-renowned Trinitario cocoa, helping to foster both literacy and a deeper appreciation for local heritage.
Minister Padarath emphasised the importance of literacy, saying it not only fuels imagination but also broadens horizons, exposing individuals to opportunities in academia, the arts, culture and countless other fields.
“We, coming from a small island state, are often restricted in terms of what’s available to us here, but reading in particular gives you a greater grasp of everything else the world has to offer.”
In keeping with World Literacy Day, the Minister also shared one of the books that has had a profound impact on him, “The Audacity of Hope” by former US President Barack Obama, describing it as a powerful story of resilience.
“The Audacity of Hope is something that resonates with so many of us coming from minority backgrounds, coming from backgrounds where you did not start off with a lot, meaning physical things, and working your way through despite the odds being stacked against you.”
Minister Padarath welcomed initiatives like these as a way of reconnecting children with reading, which he described as an essential skill for the future of the nation’s youth.