Education Minister Fayval Williams is urging parents to cultivate a habit of reading in their households so more children can gravitate towards the practice.

This as the country observes Read Across Jamaica Day today (May 5).

The day’s observance comes ahead of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association’s education week which starts on May 7.

Speaking with IRIE FM news, after reading to young students at the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Library (Tom Redcam) in Kingston today, Mrs Williams said reading represents the gateway to literacy and comprehension of what’s occurring in the world.

She encouraged parents to take the necessary steps, including utilizing libraries to foster the habit of reading among children.