Purvis students were recently awarded for the number of reading minutes they completed over the last six months.

In front of proud parents and Education Ministry officials, including Permanent Secretary Michelle Khaldun and a children's book publishing company executive, 144 students enjoyed a day of celebration early last week.

Principal Rosemarie Bulgin told Young Observer that the vast majority of students participated in the "I Love to Read" programme which has spurred a new interest in reading.

"Teachers are noticing the students are reading more," she said.

Government backbencher Dale Butler praised Purvis students in last Friday's House of Assembly session.

Mrs. Bulgin said she was proud of such recognition and said "we just want to celebrate children doing the right thing".

"Reading is the best thing (children) can do. It's better than (watching TV). When you watch television you are passive, whereas when you read a book you use your imagination to creates faces, voices and inflection."

She said the school staff was "pleased" with the students development and the school's new initiative which stressing reading and writing.

"(Students) are really getting it," she said.