A literacy program for under-privileged Sydney kids has been so successful that former prime minister John Howard says some of its graduates could end up in parliament.
Mr Howard’s assessment came after 57 primary school children gave rousing speeches about their new-found reading ability after attending the Exodus Foundation program, which helps pupils from poor backgrounds achieve NAPLAN literacy levels.
“I saw in some of those speeches people who might ultimately go into the profession in which I was once involved,” Mr Howard told the pupils’ graduation ceremony on Thursday.
“You should be very proud of what you have done. Always believe in yourself.”
Mr Howard, who helped fund the program during his time as prime minister, said the importance of reading was recognised by all sides of politics.
“It’s one of those things that governments – irrespective of their political stripes – would support,” he said.
“Not only is reading wonderful for getting through school and university, but it’s also … a pass to a more joyful life.”
Children start the program with no reading ability and leave reading the Harry Potter series, The Exodus Foundation’s Reverend Bill Crews said.
“School is often confusing for these children,” he said.
“We have children who break down and cry because for the first time in their lives they’ve been applauded for anything, and they’ll say, `I’ve only ever been put down before’.”
But more can be done to help, Rev Crews said.
“This program works extremely well with Aborigines in the Northern Territory and remote communities, and we cannot get government funding for it there.
“We spend a lot of money working with Aboriginal kids with no chance at all, and … they become really, really excited because they’ll be able to get their drivers licence.
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