With the presence of the President of the Republic, Santiago Peña; the First Lady of the Nation, Leticia Ocampos; The Minister of Education and Sciences, Luis Ramírez, and national authorities, the official launch of the reading portfolios was held that will benefit 1,200,000 students from officially managed and subsidized private educational institutions, from the initial level to the ninth grade.

The materials, printed in Spanish and Guaraní that are part of the program, were developed to strengthen reading comprehension, expand vocabulary, stimulate critical thinking and promote reading habits both inside and outside the classrooms. Distribution will be in charge of the National Post Office of Paraguay (DINACOPA), which will take the portfolios to educational institutions throughout the national territory.

Reading as a key to the future

In his speech, President Peña reaffirmed that education continues to be the most important priority for the country's development and maintained that no material work will have the real impact if it is not accompanied by quality education.

He pointed out that the key to the future is in education and that promoting reading is equivalent to promoting human development and, with it, national development.

“Every book that reaches the hands of a child is an opportunity to build hope for a much better future for all Paraguayans,” said the head of state, reiterating the commitment of the Government of Paraguay to an education that allows each student to fully develop their potential.

Books so that reading also reaches homes

For his part, the Minister of Education and Sciences, Luis Ramírez, described the day as a deeply emotional moment and stated that the delivery of the portfolios constitutes a historic step to bring books closer to Paraguayan families.

He explained that the initiative is born from the conviction that a child who reads develops more tools to understand the world, communicate, learn and build his life project. Along these lines, he pointed out that books allow him to multiply talents, broaden horizons and strengthen capacities that will accompany students throughout their educational career.

Ramírez also highlighted that the objective is not only to strengthen school libraries, but also to bring reading to every home. "Schools already have books. Now we want homes to have books," he said, highlighting that the materials include guidelines so that mothers, fathers and caregivers can actively participate in the children's learning process.

A collection adapted to each educational stage

Reading portfolios include differentiated materials according to educational level. Students in the first and second cycle will receive nine reading books, nine reading comprehension booklets and one affectivity book. For the third cycle, nine reading books and one emotional book will be delivered, while students at the Initial level will have access to story books in Spanish and Guaraní that complement the materials already distributed with the school kits.

The collection addresses content linked to values, coexistence, identity and personal development, seeking that reading becomes a shared experience between students, teachers and families.

With this initiative, the Government of Paraguay promotes one of the largest distributions of reading materials carried out in the national educational system, with the purpose of strengthening learning, expanding opportunities and training citizens capable of analyzing, reflecting and building a better future for the country.