Scholastic has always been empowered to support the Department of Education’s worthy endeavors. In fact, Scholastic, considered as one of the world’s largest children’s publishing companies had shared 50,000 copies of books to public school students during the much talked about Reading Carnival held at the Quezon City Circle last March 3, 2005 during the World Book Day Celebration. This was in partnership with the DepED Quezon City and the local government. And now, for the Read – A- Thon Project, Scholastic is again sharing more than 9,000 books for DepED’s 187 divisions in the country.

As such, the Department of Education is more than glad to ensure that the Read – A- Thon Project would be assisted with these books and that the project would definitely adhere to the call for the Filipino youth to be academically equipped and prepared.

The Read-A-Thon Project is designed to: (a) encourage all children in Grades I – VI to read at least three books a year through the conduct of nationwide reading marathon; (b) generate public awareness and support to the DepED’s ECARP; (c) develop love for reading among elementary pupils; and (d) foster a culture of reading in all schools and communities.

The Read-A-Thon Project will be simultaneously launched nationwide at all organizational level of the DepED on July 14, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. The launching kick- off will be held at the Bonifacio Hall, Malacañang Palace with Ms. Luli M. Arroyo as the First Reading Ambassadress and guest of honor for the event. The First Daughter will read a storybook to select group of 100 Grade III pupils in a Malacañang.

In connection with the launching activity, all DepEd central and field office personnel, including the teachers and pupils, shall set aside 30 minutes of their time on that day to Drop Everything And Read (D.E.A.R.) any reading material from 2:00 to 2:30 p.m. The regional directors/schools superintendents are encouraged to ensure the support of their local government officials and community leaders through the mayor’s league by joining the launching activity at their levels. The officials are encouraged to read stories to school children at the designated date and time.

In addition, every school is encouraged to conduct its own school-based reading marathon, which will be a part of the reading program. The school reading marathon shall determine the best team of pupils who will compete in the district then division levels. The divisions within each region shall also conduct their own reading marathon to determine their own winners. The winning team or child in the division level shall compete at the regional level. Initially for the national level, the contest shall be open to the grade three pupils only.

Officials of Scholastic said: "Let us help build a nation of readers and winners by being readers ourselves. Join Scholastic and the Department of Education in this worthy cause."