The 4th PMECC Reading Competition, held in Bethlehem under the inspiring theme “Readers are Leaders”, concluded with a joyful Awarding Ceremony on May 5.
On behalf of the The Pontifical Mission Educational and Cultural Center (PMECC) staff, Ms. Monnitte Monana, Director of PMECC, extended a warm welcome to the nearly seventy guests who attended the celebration. She expressed sincere appreciation for their continued and unwavering support of this important educational initiative.
Among the honored guests were Mr. Joseph Hazboun, Regional Director of the PM Office – Jerusalem, and Mr. Gabi Kando, Project Coordinator. Also present were dedicated school directors and coordinators, supportive parents, and, of course, our bright and motivated students.
Award Highlights: Three major student winners and the top ten finalists were recognized for their outstanding achievements. Also, two schools received special recognition for: the highest percentage of student participation and the most students qualifying for the final round.
Fourth year
Now in its fourth year since launching in 2019, the PMECC Reading Competition continues to thrive—even through the challenges of moving to an online format. Its mission remains the same: to foster a lifelong love of reading among 5th-grade students.
The competition not only highlights the talents of young readers but also the invaluable support of school leaders, teachers, and parents. Together, their combined efforts are helping students develop strong reading habits and a lasting passion for learning.
Started in mid-September of last year, it began with over 1,000+ fifth-grade participants from 23 private schools across Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and Jericho. As the rounds progressed, the number of participants gradually narrowed down to the most dedicated and enthusiastic readers. Throughout the competition, students were required to read a total of 100 books (both in English & Arabic)—60 in the first round and 40 in the second—fostering discipline and enhancing their reading stamina. The contest sparked enthusiasm and motivation among the students, encouraging them to read more as they prepared for each round while the staff had enthusiastically and untiringly corrected their works online.
Final round
The final round, which was held last 28th of April, saw 37 students from 15 schools qualified after successfully completing the earlier stages. During the final round, each student was given a copy of a selected book. They were tasked to summarize the story, answer five comprehension questions, and identify the core values and life lessons they learned from the reading. Their works were corrected by a panel of judges composed of 3 professionals (an Arabic professor, teaching at Bethlehem University; a retired Arabic supervisor from the Ministry of Education; and a well-known Palestinian children book writer). This final challenge not only tested the participants’ understanding and interpretation skills but also encouraged them to reflect more deeply on the material—connecting the stories to real-life principles and their own personal growth.
The comprehension-based approach pushed them to think critically and creatively, improve their ability to analyze texts/content, and express the insights they gained through
reading. Through this, their confidence and self-esteem as readers were strengthened.
Many of our participants, if not all, also learned to manage their time wisely—balancing reading with schoolwork, household responsibilities, and social activities. This experience is not only academic but a meaningful life lesson in discipline and commitment.
At the end of her welcome remark, Ms. Monana, gave this message to our dear young readers: ‘…your hard work and dedication have paid off. You’ve grown stronger as readers and thinkers, and your love for books will surely lead you toward a brighter future…’
Moreover, she acknowledged and thanked everyone for being part of this journey and further addressed this message to parents and teachers: …’while the impact of reading may not always be immediately visible in school performance or daily life, its long-term effects are profound. Our role as adults and educators is to continue nurturing this love for reading, providing encouragement, support, and—most importantly—a living example of what it means to be a reader.
Text and Photos: Monnitte V. Monana.
Published in News