The Fellowship Primary and Junior High School in Portland officially opened the doors to its Reading Resource Centre which is aimed at improving and enhancing the reading capabilities of underperforming students.

Over the years, the school has had to deal with hundreds of students displaying reading deficiencies. These sttudents come from various primary schools in the parish, having failed miserably in the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT).

110 students transferred

According to some alarming statistics released by the school's administration, only a mere one per cent of the more than 110 students transferred to Fellow-ship for the academic year are able to read at the grade three level.

"We received students from approximately 13 schools from across the parish," said vice-principal Beverly Cover. "These students average 30 per cent or less in the GSAT exam. Many are unable to pronounce letters, while others are unable to identify words."

According to the vice-principal, the reading deficiencies are cause for concern as they create additional strain on the teaching staff, who are forced to work overtime so as to get them prepared to sit the Grade Nine Achievement Test.

"They have to be nurtured for three years, which is a short period of time, based on their academic deficiencies. However, there have been many miracles performed by our teaching staff, which sees a little more than 20 per cent passing the Grade Nine exam," added the vice-principal.

The students who pass the Grade Nine exam with high marks are then placed in traditional high schools, including Titchfield and Happy Grove. Those who do not do as well are placed at the Buff Bay, Port Antonio, or Fair Prospect high schools.

Against that background Ms. Cover said the Reading Resource Centre will assist with the academic development of students with such deficiencies. They will be guided by trained teachers using state-of-the-art technological equipment.

The Reading Resource Centre is equipped with six desktop computers, two laptop computers, scanners, printers, fax machines, books, a television and a DVD player, along with a variety of literacy materials.

- Gareth Davis