ISSN: 2782-893X
eISSN: 2799-0664
ISSN: 2782- 893X
—— Notwithstanding the substantial transformation of education in the last 20 years, specifically to redress the past inequalities, the challenges are ongoing. These challenges include public elementary institutions having to accommodate a culturally and linguistically diverse group of learners, often second-language (L2) English speakers, in an English lingua franca classroom. This study investigated the reading attitudes and habits of learners of Jolencio R. Alberca Elementary School in San Nicolas Tres de Mayo, Digos City, Davao del Sur in a reading program and any perceived changes to these attitudes or habits, as well as their perceptions of the promotion of reading by the program. On successful completion of the program, learners register for the compulsory course and are required to complete a test. The teaching of reading appeared invaluable with the indication that learners’ attitudes and behavior changed and that they realized the academic value thereof, made decisions to take up reading as a hobby and discovered new genres. Several educational plans were shared by learners to the researcher. These plans were actually what they hope to gain in the future as learners who can read. They shared the following: continue to read textbooks, reference materials and other reading resources as they progress to their educational endeavors; to make reading as a hobby in their life; to share with other learners what they have read; to widen their vocabulary as result of their reading; to listen and pay attention to their teachers and other adults in matters of reading; and to improve their basic skills in reading through literacy strategies. Keywords — Reading, Challenges, Perspectives, Difficulties, Program, Educational Plans