A "STORYTELLER" from Mata Mata Primary School said participating in storytelling competitions can encourage students to read more.

Christy Hervielyanah Christopher, 10, said reading is "essential for gaining knowledge".

A participant of the preliminary round of a storytelling competition organised by the Language and Literature Bureau or Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), Christy said, "I joined the competition last year, but lost. This time, I'm back and determined." The fifth grader, who aspires to be surgeon, said that winning the competition will be a source of pride for her school and parents.

A total of 33 students from 10 primary schools in the Brunei-Muara District participated in the preliminary round held at DBP in the capital. Organised annually by its Library Section, the competition aims to instill a love of reading among the children besides stimulating their imagination and creativity.

Students were given 15 minutes to study a set of pictures from which they will base their storytelling and another seven minutes to present their stories using Malay.

It is the fourth competition using the same format of storytelling in line with the National Education Stystem for the 21st century (SPN21).

Library officer Hjh Noreidah Hj Ibrahim said the current format will help foster quick thinking and train the children to improve their storytelling skills.

She said participants will be judged on their presentation and story content.

Christy,who believes that the key to success is knowledge, said, "It's very important to be a knowledgable person, because then you can be anything you want and help to build a better Brunei."

She pointed out that countries, such as Singapore, are now successful owing to their knowledgeable citizens despite their initial lack of resources.

The competition is open to members of the Children Library Services who are between nine to 12 years old.

Each district will select its best 10 storytellers who will compete in the national level this year.

Some 136 primary school students in the Brunei-Muara District are expected to compete in the week-long preliminary sessions which will run until March 1.The Brunei Times