The British Council, in partnership with Bangladesh Shishu Academy, today has launched a new nationwide reader development programme titled ‘Story Time’ for the primary and secondary level students in Bangladesh. This year, the programme bears the tagline ‘Porte Porte Boro Hoi’. Children from all over the country can participate in the programme from 64 district libraries of Bangladesh Shishu Academy. This programme aims to reach over 20,000 students from all over Bangladesh.
The main objective of ‘Story Time’ is to develop students’ reading habit both in English and Bangla. There will be two different sets of books for primary and secondary level members to 
select from. Each member needs to read any six books from the collection. The participants will receive a logbook and a poster to record their learning. Participants from primary section will get a certificate and prize after completing 6 books and submitting their logbook. Participants from secondary section will sit for an assessment test after reading all the books. 3 best readers from each group and each district will be selected in the first round. Best reader from each group from district level will compete for the national award. The registration period for the first round competition will end by November 2016.
Sayeed Khokon, Honourable Mayor, Dhaka South City Corporation, launched the program at the British Council, Dhaka University Campus office. The Honourable Mayor handed over different stickers, log books and posters to the children interested to engage themselves in the ‘Story Time’ programme in the launching ceremony. Selina Hossain, Chairman, Bangladesh Shishu Academy; Razina Akhter, Head of Library, Bangladesh Shishu Academy; Jim Scarth, Deputy Director, British Council Bangladesh and Sarwat Reza, Library Manager, British Council Bangladesh were present at the launching ceremony.
