The Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Georgetown yesterday launched reading clubs for Grades 3, 4 and 5 pupils in three primary schools.
The launching took place at the East La Penitence Primary School, one of the schools that benefited from the project along with Beterverwagting Quamina and Patentia. These three schools are in the first phase of the project but other schools will be added in the future.
Books, furniture, rugs and televisions among other materials that will make reading fun in an environment that is conducive to learning were donated by the ministry, the Rotary Club and other corporate sponsors such as Scotia Bank, Ansa McAl and Digicel. A library, compliments of the ministry, the Rotary Club and other corporate sponsors, has been set up at the East La Penitence School for the reading club and similar donations will be made at the other schools in the coming weeks.
President of the Georgetown Rotary Club, Khali Ali, said that the event is a great opportunity to help the schools to better foster reading. He added, “the reading club is not a remedial session but an opportunity to encourage students to read… We hope reading does not end at the club but is supported by parents.”
Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, lauding the initiative, said “We can tell you as a ministry that we have much more work to do because we are not satisfied that every child can read, that every child can count.”
Manickchand also said her ministry is about to embark on an initiative that brings together local literacy experts from across the country to discuss the way forward with literacy.
She urged parents to play their role in the lives of their children since no one, including the ministry, can replace them and their role.
The Ministry of Education’s mandate is that every child must be able to read by Grade 3, a point that was re-emphasized by Chief Education Officer, Olato Sam.
Sam, in his address, highlighted the role civil society can and has played in the recent initiative while adding that literacy has been at the forefront of the ministry.
Meanwhile, Head teacher of East La Penitence Primary, Sherron Howard, stated that the books will enhance the children’s performance and reading skills.
She also highlighted that the programme will allow parents to be involved thereby giving them the exposure to assist their children.