Build more libraries in rural areas
Published on: Saturday, July 22, 2017
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Although rural education is one of the government’s key policy priorities, access to information in rural areas in places like Hutan Melintang has been limited.
Information is an essential resource and can play a major role in the socio-economic development of Hutan Melintang. Researcher Anja Moeller Rasmussen noted that promotion of education is an essential ingredient in capacity building process because access to education and information enables people to be better informed and as a result better able to influence and make decisions. This view is expressed by a number of researchers also.
People living in rural areas should have access to information concerning them.
This will help them to become capable in their social and political obligations and become better informed citizens.
Prof Patrick Ngulube in South Africa noted that information is a prerequisite to raising educational standards, advancing democracy, participating in decision-making, developing the economy and enhancing the quality of life, that is, information empowers and improves human beings. Well-informed communities are able to exercise their democratic rights, as well as play an active role in society.
The creation of educational facilities is often considered as an indispensable rural infrastructure.
Rural libraries, as major information providers, have a vital role to play in rural development.
Rural libraries directly contribute to social progress and economic development.
NGOs and concerned local residents have been organising information resource centres at the community level.
Community-run libraries have a tremendous impact. Before these libraries, many of the rural folk here had no idea of what a library was. These libraries provide reading resources, meet the information needs of the local community and play a crucial role in their educational advancement.
Dr Ms
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