Denpasar holds reading competition

Denpasar: Denpasar mayorality office held a reading competition for students from elementary to high school level in an attempt to encourage an interest in reading among young people.

Around 77 students took part in the competition, held at the Santi Graha building on Monday.

Denpasar Mayor IB Rai Dharmawijaya Mantra said the competition was not merely aimed at seeking winners. "We want to arouse people's interest in reading," the mayor said adding that he had declared Sept. 14 Reading Day. He said parents and teachers had to encourage youngsters to read.

Interest in reading among youth in Bali, and in Indonesia in general, is relatively low compared with young people in neighboring countries like Singapore and Malaysia. - JP