Winneba (C/R), May 31, GNA-The Executive Director of the Centre for Literacy Empowerment, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) based in Wa in the Upper West Region, Mr Abdulai Jakalia has called for the introduction of extensive reading in the training of teachers to ensure quality education delivery in the country.

He expressed the hope that, this will help uplift the poor literacy standards of student teachers in tertiary institutions. Mr. Jakalia, who is a retired Senior Lecturer with the English Language Department of the University of Education, Winneba made the call when he reviewed a paper at a faculty lecture on the theme; "only teachers who love reading can inculcate reading habits in children". The paper is to be presented at the 6th Pan African Reading For All Conference in Dar- el-Salaam, Tanzania in August 2009. Mr. Jakalia said research showed that, teachers' reading habit paints a gloomy picture which hampered their expression of language use and impacted negatively on their academic output.

It is against this background that the University of Education, Winneba has factored the Extensive Reading Programme (ERP) into its curriculum, he said.

He said extensive reading should not be seen as supplementary or optional subject but as a core and indispensable part of all language programmes.

A Lecturer at the Department of Applied Linguistics of the University, Miss Charlotte Fofo Lomotey said the University considers literacy as a conduit to self-actualization hence every student will be engaged in contract reading of self-selected non-content but quality reading materials during a semester.

She said responses from students indicated a profound interest in the programme because it had sharpened their reading skills. Miss Lomotey advised student teachers who have been acquired extensive reading habit to inculcate such attitudes in their pupils and students.