In a bid to raise the literacy standards in the country, the Ministry of Education’s National Literacy Unit yesterday launched the Arriba Book Club at the Sophia Primary School.
The launch is part of the Performance Enhancement Project (PEP). According to Education Minister, Sheik Baksh 66 schools across the country have been selected for this project after it was found that they are the poorest performing schools in the country.
Head of the National Literacy Unit, Norma Applewaithe, said yesterday’s launch will be treated as a pilot project before being introduced to other regions. The book club will also be introduced at the Thomas Moore Primary, St Sidwell’s Primary and Agricola Primary. These schools, Applewaithe said, were the schools identified for PEP.
She explained that the aim of the book club is “to develop and foster the habit of reading” for recreation and other purposes while encouraging the development of reading, comprehension and writing skills.
The Arriba Book Club, Aplewaithe explained, will be supplied with books for various reading levels. Teachers are responsible for ensuring that all students from Grades One to Four are part of the weekly club. Every member of the club will be provided with an exercise book and folder. Students are required to write book reports on the books they have read and will be awarded for their work.
“Whatever takes place during the meetings will be reported to the National Literacy Unit,” Applewaithe said. “The book club is an opportunity for enjoyment, entertainment and knowledge seeking,” she added.
Applewaithe said arriba when translated from Spanish is “upward” and it was chosen because the ministry wants to see students moving up in literacy.
Meanwhile, Baksh urged teachers to get on board with the programme telling them “it should really pinch our conscience” when students fail to acquire basic reading and writing skills.
He encouraged the school to seek contributions through the Parent Teachers Association, gifts or other partnerships to ensure that the book club is kept up to date with new titles for students.
GT&T was commended for its sponsorship of books and materials to the book club.
Baksh also encouraged every school to have “if not a full fledged library a little corner set aside stocked with books”. Baksh says that every child should have access to those books and use them. The minister also called on non-governmental organisations to get involved with schools to promote literacy.
