The Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC) is looking at expanding its kidsREAD programme next year, by getting each child to read 160 books in four years.

Ms Grace Fu, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, officiated KidsREAD Day at CDAC on Saturday afternoon, which saw 25 students from low-income and non-English speaking families, graduating from the nationwide reading programme.

A recent survey with 133 parents whose children have enrolled in the programme, showed that over 80 per cent of them felt that their children now speak more English than before and appeared more confident in using the English language. These parents have also noticed their children's interest in reading after attending the programme, CDAC said in its press release.

Today, there are about 4,000 children participating in the nationwide reading programme which was launched in 2004. KidsREAD is a joint effort by the National Library Board, the People's Association and the five community self-help groups: Mendaki, the Association of Muslim Professionals, the Singapore Indian Development Association, the Eurasian Association and CDAC.