News

Karen Sudu, Gleaner Writer

Worrying reading levels at Old Harbour Bay Primary School jolted administrators to stage an inaugural Literacy Expo last Thursday.

Milton Wade, principal, said the expo was geared at raising awareness and improving literacy among students in the coastal town.

"This community has some serious literacy challenges. It's a fishing village, and research shows that schools in the fishing, banana, cane and orange belts have low literacy levels," he told The Gleaner.

"It was out of this consciousness that stakeholders in the community decided to designate May 6 Literacy Day."

Wade pointed out that approximately 49 per cent of his 650 students were adjudged to have achieved mastery in December 2009 internal examinations. Twenty-five per cent accomplished near mastery and 25 per cent failed the grade.

Data released by the Ministry of Education last month indicated that the southern St Catherine school delivered a dismal performance in the Grade Four Literacy Test, with only 24 per cent of the 107 students sitting the national exam achieving mastery.

Interest piqued

There was a wide array of exhibits from churches, community based-organisations and public- and private-sector entities at the expo themed 'Reading - an Everyday Activity'.

Pauline Thames-Baker, mathematics coordinator for the education ministry's Region Six, told The Gleaner that exhibits at her booth were aimed at stimulating numeracy, as well as enhancing reading in the classroom and at home.

"We have what we call the word wall, which has a number of math terms. We also have a shop corner with labelled items to enhance reading as well.

"There is also the fake money for the students to use, so they are actually carrying out a buy-and-sell scene," she explained.

Thames-Baker said methodology was inspired by the National Mathematics Strategy for Schools launched by the Education Transfor-mation Team in June 2008. That initiative was part of the efforts by the Ministry of Education to improve student performance in the subject at the primary and secondary levels.

The Jamaica Public Service Company, a long-standing backer of Old Harbour Bay Primary, was also on hand to share information about its products. The company rewarded students who were willing to demonstrate their reading skills.

Jasmin Wright, community relations officer, told The Gleaner the power company has been assisting in the children's educational growth and development.

"We have spent about $3 billion on the homework centre and have furnished the computer laboratory that serves the school, as well as community members, with 20 computers," she said.

"The school also received a pump to assist with its water problem," she added.

Angel Anckle, president of the parent-teacher association,said she was pleased with the expo.

"I think it was well organised and attended. I think the children and parents were very impressed with the presentations of all the booths which were on display," she said.

Bobbette Williams, a parent, also commended the school for staging the event.

"I think it was a good venture because, as you walked around in the booth and persons explained where they were from, and what they are doing, it educates you on the different areas where you can go and get things for your children, not just books, but other areas in which you can get educational stuff and other things."