Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Dr. Kasan Troupe has noted that the annual National Reading Competition remains integral to promoting literacy in Jamaica.

The competition serves as the flagship initiative of the Jamaica Library Service (JLS) with the goal of promoting reading skills across all age groups to foster personal growth and national development.

It continues to play a critical role in fostering literacy development among children and youth, encouraging lifelong learning for adults, and shaping future leaders through reading.

Speaking at the media launch for the 2025 National Reading Competition at the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Library, Dr. Troupe stressed that efforts must continue for Jamaica to achieve 100% literacy.

Meanwhile, JLS Director General, Maureen Thompson highlighted the competition’s contribution to the Education Ministry’s strategic priorities for literacy and lifelong learning.

This year’s competition, which begins next month is being held under the theme: “Keep Reading Alive in 2025.”

The event kicks off with the first round of parish-level competition, from which parish champions will be selected across five age groups.

The final round begins on July 31 and the National Championships will be held in August, where parish winners will compete for a range of prizes including trophies, cash or bursary awards, technological devices, gift certificates, complimentary passes to local attractions and trips to Caribbean destinations.

Following a brief hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Championship Finals will resume its television broadcast this year.

The JLS aims to recruit about 4,000 participants island-wide for this year’s competition, surpassing last year’s turnout of approximately 3,700.