An official of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) called on parents to take time to teach their children to read, write and cultivate their skills.

Bishop Daniel Presto, vice chair of the CBCP Episcopal Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education (ECCCE), noted the importance of education, especially basic skills such as reading and writing among children.

“Let’s also make it a habit to pay attention to being able to read at least a few minutes a day, or give a book as a gift or donate a book to public libraries,” he said in an interview over Church-run Radio Veritas on Tuesday.

Presto’s remarks came ahead of the commemoration of International Literacy Day on Sept. 8.

“We are reminded of the importance of education for every citizen, for the community, and for the whole society. It is said that ‘others know better’ and ‘read and lead’ education is the right of the people, it is the duty of everyone, especially the parents,” the Catholic prelate added.

Presto also urged the education sector to strengthen its response to the problems facing education such as the increasing number of children having difficulties in counting, reading, and writing.

A study by the United Nations Children Fund conducted this year showed 85 percent of children under the age of 10 have difficulty reading simple sentences taught in schools. (PNA)