In an effort to improve the country’s literacy initiatives the Ministry of Education recently organised a specialised training session on Scholastic Guided Reading for officers of the National Literacy Department and regional literacy coordinators.
A release from the ministry said that the one-day workshop was hosted in the auditorium at the National Centre for Educational Resource Development and was facilitated by Majorie Solorzano of Scholastic Inc.
The training session was aimed to empower national and regional literacy leaders with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to effectively implement the Guided Reading A to D materials. By providing comprehensive training and ongoing support, the ministry said it ensures that educators feel confident utilising these materials to enhance literacy instruction in their classrooms.
According to the release, training underscores the ministry’s commitment to addressing reading challenges among young learners.
The release stated that over the years, Guyana has made substantial progress in literacy, with the national average for English Language climbing from 32% to approximately 64%. However, it pointed out that persistent challenges remain, notably the 40% of students entering Grade 7 who struggle with reading comprehension. It was in recognising the urgency of the situation that the ministry invested in the Scholastic Guided Reading Focus Fiction A to D Series to provide vital support to the reading curriculum.
It was stated that the Scholastic Guided Reading offers a comprehensive collection of books organised by genre and difficulty level, spanning 26 levels from A to Z.
“This series, proven effective in fostering reading skills, equips educators with the tools needed to tailor instruction to individual student needs. Among its advantages are the facilitation of flexible grouping, assessment of student progress, and a foundational book collection expandable over time,” the release said.
It disclosed that the ministry has procured 460 levels A to D kits, which will be deployed to primary schools for use by teachers and literacy support specialists in pull-out sessions with Grade One learners. Each kit includes essential resources such as a Teacher’s Guide, storage bins, levelled books, and teaching cards with lesson ideas for each title.
