Latest update April 25th, 2024 12:59 AM
Sep 09, 2014 News
With the launch of a Literacy Programme which embraced the theme “the Literacy Revolution has begun,” Guyana yesterday joined 195 countries around the world to observe International Literacy Day.
The launch was conspicuously venued along Main Street Avenue, Georgetown, between Church and Quamina Streets, and saw the attendance of many stakeholders, mostly school children well decked in their uniforms.
The tent-sheltered section of the Avenue was laced with booths showcasing the importance of literacy and was an attraction to many passers-by.
In presenting the opening remarks at the forum yesterday Assistant Chief Education Officer (ACEO), Marcel Hutson, noted that learning to read is critical to the literacy process even as he alluded to reports from psychologists that “if you don’t learn to read at an early age; if you do not master those skills you become lost in society.”
And even as he amplified his conviction that “reading serves as the foundation for school based learning,” Hutson informed the gathering of education stakeholders that a child’s ability to read positively is related to opportunities for academic and vocational success. He went on to intimate yesterday too, that research has shown at the end of Third Grade most children are “learning to read and by Fourth Grade they read to learn.”
He therefore noted that a young person’s failure to read at grade level by the end of the Third Grade creates a massive barrier to educational success as it is the key force in determining whether a student can go on to graduate to high school and achieve future success in the work force.
And according to the ACEO, it is therefore important to note that not only does grade level reading has a significant impact on students’ educational career, but it has broader ramifications for their economic livelihood in an increasing competitive economic environment.
“I can categorically state that if literacy rates are going to improve; the input of all stakeholders is critical. Therefore, we must see a combination of the efforts of the school, the home and the community,” added Hutson.
Adding his voice to the literacy deliberations yesterday was Chief Education Officer (CEO), Olato Sam, who noted that “the research is abundantly clear, the more literate the population the greater the output in our sectors.”
“We must therefore recognise the deep national developmental implications this literacy agenda holds, and move towards the development of a more comprehensive broad-based approach towards stamping out illiteracy in our nation.”
And according to Sam, the call being echoed is for the elimination of illiteracy at a national level and the establishment of a culture of literacy.
As he alluded to the theme of Education Month “Literate by Grade Four through consistent, home, school and community involvement”, the CEO noted that it was devised to convey the need for a more collective effort if we are to succeed in making our populace more literate.
He, in mirroring Hutson’s call for collaboration in the quest to stamp-out illiteracy, noted that the efforts must be seen as national developmental concern that demands a comprehensive multi-sectoral approach. “This culture of literacy I speak of, has to permeate all of our public and private undertakings,” asserted the CEO.
Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, was yesterday no less vocal in calling for support for the education sector in getting to a level of literacy that is acceptable.
The Minister was particularly keen on emphasising the importance of parents’ involvement in the literacy process even if they themselves are not literate. “It is important that everybody play their role…” said the Minister as she encouraged those in attendance to strive towards leaving an indelible mark that will help to aid the process of bettering the level of literacy.
The event, which saw the attendance of several top education officials, was also graced by members of the business community, parents and guardians of students/pupils and several others with a keen interest in forwarding the literacy cause.
The event, which was chaired by Head Master of the West Demerara Secondary School, Harri Narine, was not without dramatic pieces, all of which emphasised the importance of literacy.
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