WINDHOEK, Sept. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Namibian government has embarked on a campaign aimed at tackling low literacy rates and promoting mental health.

At a pre-launch event of the 2025 National Readathon on Wednesday, Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture Sanet Steenkamp announced that the event will run under the theme "Read Namibia: Break the Silence, Build Minds - Focus on Mental Wellness."

"The National Readathon is not just an event; it is a celebration of the power of reading to transform lives. It reminds us that every child, regardless of ability, should have the chance to enjoy books, express themselves through stories, and discover the joy of learning," she said.

The minister, meanwhile, said the main Readathon event will take place in Gobabis in the Omaheke Region, from Sept. 22 to 26.

Steenkamp said the Readathon is a direct response to a critical gap identified at the 2022 National Conference on Education: the lack of a comprehensive early-grade reading framework.

According to her, an alarming number of learners are progressing to Grade 4 with inadequate reading skills, a problem that affects children with special educational needs as well.

"The Readathon, therefore, is a call to action to every Namibian, young and old, to embrace reading not just as a skill, but as a culture and a shared national value," Steenkamp said.

The campaign also seeks to empower citizens with knowledge and critical thinking skills, while addressing the link between literacy and mental health.

"I am urging all regions, all schools, and public libraries to participate and organize reading events for our learners. All our educational institutions must serve as safe spaces for dialogue, literacy, and healing," she added. ■