Teachers improving literacy honoured with award

A programme that works to improve literacy levels among children at Auckland’s low decile schools is recognising teachers who have innovative ideas.

Sharad Paul established Baci bookstores and cafes in Newmarket and Brisbane that plough profits back into literacy programmes.

Dr Paul started Baci three years ago after meeting a girl who was the same age as his daughter, but her literacy level was two or three years behind.

"I was talking with a teacher about it later and they said that was right; low decile schools are about two or three years behind the highest decile schools," Dr Paul says.

He runs a skin cancer practice in Blockhouse Bay, teaches 800 doctors annually on both sides of the Tasman, has a law degree and is a novelist.

In the past three years he has given thousands of books to help boost school libraries in Auckland and Brisbane, awarded prizes to individual students and spoken with thousands of children to help inspire them about what their life could be.

He was shocked when he read entries into a short story contest that Baci runs.

With a topic of "If I Ruled The World" – some children’s dream was to see the benefit doubled; that their uncles would no longer be in prison; or that adults would not beat up children.

"There is an ingrained lack of hope that is apparent in some of these children," says Dr Paul.

Now he wants to help highlight the work that some of the best teachers are doing in some of the toughest circumstances.

Dr Paul believes teaching is the most under-recognised profession and says it was an inspiring teacher who helped him determine his own life path.

As a result Dr Paul is launching the Baci Innovation and Leadership in Teaching Award.

He is asking teachers from low decile Auckland schools to submit their most innovative ideas about how to improve literacy.

Dr Paul is looking for ideas that have been shown to improve performance and showcase innovation, inspiration, new ideas and new methods.

The winning ideas will be promoted and resourced.

Dr Paul believes reading and creativity can foster all kinds of dreams.

In his own life, such qualities have taken him from an adventurous boyhood in India to having global work opportunities and contacts.

"I have a dream that any child from the poor schools I visit can aspire to become a doctor like me – or follow their passion into science, the arts or computers."

Dr Paul regularly visits low decile schools and teachers or principals can email him on sharad@sharadpaul.com.

For more information go to www.bacilounge.com.

- © Fairfax NZ News