KEY POINTS:
Children from low socio-economic backgrounds are being encouraged to pursue their writing skills though a short story competition worth $2000 to their schools.
The competition, for which entries close on July 1, is aimed at year six primary students in decile one and two schools in the greater Auckland area.
Competition organiser Dr Sharad Paul said that as a general practitioner, he had close experience of the plight of low socio-economic families. But as a university lecturer, he had also seen what education could do for even the most disadvantaged student.
If the competition inspired one child to pursue his or her writing or academic education, it would be a great success, he said.
"I'm consumed by a passion to revitalise the art of reading and encourage these children in aspiring to achieve their dreams."
Dr Paul, who was born in England, raised in India and migrated to New Zealand in 1991, runs a skin cancer practice in Auckland and is also director of a bookshop called the BACI Lounge in Newmarket.
- NZPA
