Primary schools embrace European Union’s literacy enhancement programme
Published:Saturday | February 24, 2024 | 12:05 AMKeisha Hill/Senior Gleaner Writer
Principals at three primary schools in Kingston are happy that their institution have been selected as participants in the European Union All-of-Government’s Citizen Security Plan, an initiative that seeks to improve the literacy levels of students.
Principal Shernet Clarke-Tomlinson of Edward Seaga Primary School highlighted that students at the institution face various challenges that hinder their learning experience. These challenges include difficulties with literacy stemming from a lack of parental guidance, inadequate nutrition, and exposure to crime and violence.
“The programme seems to be effective based on the testimonies from the teachers and students that participated in last year’s cohort. We are elated that our school has been chosen to participate this year. It is important that these kinds of initiatives start at the infant and primary school level to minimize the remedial work that is now being conducted at the high school level,” Clarke-Tomlinson told GoodHeart.
Thirty grade 1 and 2 students from her school will join the programme. With only five students per session, teachers can facilitate more effective interaction and provide remedial assistance.
“In our grade 1 cohort, of the 50 students, 45 when they came in were reading below their grade level. They were not ready for primary school. The teachers are now actively doing remedial work with these students,” Clarke-Tomlinson explained.
Clarke-Tomlinson also indicated that she is happy that the teachers are receiving training in the programme. “These teachers will have the skills to help other students that won’t be exposed to the programme. So, students at other levels will also be able to benefit,” she said.
The EU currently offers financial support to the All-of-Government’s Citizen Security Plan.With research indicating a link between low literacy levels and elevated rates of crime and violence, the proceeds from this year’s 5K and 10K run will fund a literacy summer camp for three primary schools. The previous year’s proceeds supported a literacy summer camp at Kingston High School.
The Delegation of the European Union (EU) in Jamaica is set to host the second edition of the European Union-Jamaica 5K and 10K road race on Sunday, March 10, in downtown Kingston, under the theme ‘All Together, Against Crime and Violence’. The event is aimed at uniting approximately 3,000 participants to demonstrate their support and solidarity with the government and citizens of Jamaica in their efforts to stand against crime and violence.
Marianne Van Steen, EU Ambassador to Jamaica, said, “The EU is keen on supporting Jamaica’s sustainable development agenda, which directly impacts the quality of life for all Jamaicans. At the forefront of that agenda is citizen security. Together, in partnership with the Government of Jamaica and other key stakeholders, the 5K and 10K events are part of our collective effort to raise social consciousness and awareness of the importance of having an ‘all hands on deck’ approach to tackling the social vulnerabilities that are triggers for crime and violence.”
Ambassador Van Steen said that the EU views education as a crucial component in tackling crime and violence. She encouraged Jamaicans to participate in the run, seeing it as a demonstration of their collective commitment to working together for the betterment of the security environment and the promotion of education and literacy.
“Collaboration and partnership underpin this event; it is about showing how uniting around a common cause can bring about change within society in a meaningful way and how much can be achieved when stakeholders and citizens come together,” she added.
Colleen Gordon, the principal of St Andrew Primary, expressed gratitude for being selected to participate in the programme. She emphasised the programme’s significance in addressing the various factors contributing to poor literacy, especially considering that 30 to 40 per cent of students at the school currently struggle with reading.
“The teachers will be exposed to a new programme, and the small class size, [while] the students will be able to focus more. Teachers will also get the opportunity to improve the level of literacy at their grade level. All students will benefit as the teachers will use the strategies they have learnt,” Gordon said, adding, “We are trying our best and we are making progress. Many of these students by the time they get to grade six, they perform well, with quite a number of them gaining scholarships.”
Meanwhile, Phillipa Williams McGregor, principal at Holy Family Primary School, said the EU’s programme will boost the literacy level of the students. “It is important to be able to read and to comprehend what you have read in order to reason. You will have a better understanding about what is happening, and the students will be able to express themselves.”