EU Jamaica raises $8.3 million from 5K/10K run to benefit 8 schools

A common feeling of gratitude was expressed by principals and students of the eight schools set to benefit from proceeds of the 2025 European Union 5K and 10K Run.

The funds -totalling J$8.34 million, will fund summer literacy intervention camps aimed at improving reading skills in primary school students and reducing vulnerability to crime and violence.

The beneficiary schools are Cockburn Gardens Primary, Calabar Primary, Whitfield Primary, Greenwich All-Age School, Tavares Gardens Primary School, Edward Seaga Primary School, Holy Family Primary School and St. Andrew Primary School located in Kingston.

During a handover ceremony hosted at the European Union (EU) Delegation to Jamaica, the EU presented the cheque to the Creative Language Based Learning (CLBL) Foundation, which will implement the literacy camps in partnership with the Ministry of Education Skills, Youth and Information.

Principal at Tavares Garden Primary School Terrian Nisbeth, welcomed the support.

“We are a community based school and the challenge of literacy is far and wide and so we believe that this effort will help to develop literacy for the students but also we will see a spin off in the development and growth of the community and Jamaica at large,” said Nisbeth.

Dr Patricia Kinglocke-Findley, principal of Cockburn Gardens Primary, shared a similar sentiment.

“I am passionate about education especially literacy. I had already started a literacy intervention programme, so with this coming on stream, it will definitely help more. I hope to see exceptional progress as we move forward.”

Three of the schools, Edward Seaga, Holy Family and St Andrew Primary also received support from last year’s race.

According to Acting Vice Principal Caullett Ferguson of Edward Seaga Primary School, the literacy camps have made a visible impact.

“They’re more receptive to learning to read. You’ll find that they are more on the side of taking up reading material on their own and sitting and going through and that’s very positive for us,” said Ferguson, who is also a literacy coordinator.

Principal Colleen Gordon of St Andrew Primary agreed. “I am excited that the school is one of the beneficiaries for another year because it gives our students a chance of learning to read.”

The students at the various schools were not shy in sharing their views.

Head Boy at Calabar Primary School Carlan Malcolm said, “It’s great because the school really needs the help in that area (literacy) where we don’t have that much tools to help us.”

While grade-six student Rajaun Drummonds at Greenwich Primary School, said, “I feel so happy that my school is now befitting from the run.”

Gradesix student at Cockburn Primary Tyeisha Findley said, “I am happy because this will help us learn better and discover new things.”

Emphasising that the theme for this year’s race was 'All Together Against Crime and Violence', with a specific focus on gender-based violence, EU Ambassador Dr Erja Askola noted the growing public support for the initiative over the past three years.

“In 2023, we started with 2,000 participants and raised J$1.2 million for one school. Last year, participation grew to 3,000 people, and we raised J$4.5 million to support three schools. This year, we saw an incredible turnout, with over 4,114 people registering for the race and over 3,500 finishers, led by Prime Minister Dr. The Most Honourable Andrew Holness and our race patron, Olympian Shanieka Ricketts,” she said.

“The funds raised will support summer literacy intervention programmes and specialized teacher training conducted by the CLBL, underscoring our shared belief that education is a critical tool for development and violence prevention. The expansion of this initiative is a clear sign of its impact,” Askola added.

Dr Kasan Troupe, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, emphasised the importance of collaboration.

“The transformation that is required in education cannot be done by the government alone. We need partners.

“This partnership with the EU will help us to address this gap in literacy. It is the mandate of the ministry to ensure that no child leaves primary school without reading at their grade level - that’s the new mandate,” said Troupe.

CLBL Executive Director Mandy Melville pointed out the broader implications of literacy interventions.

“Global research and Jamaica’s own experience point out that when teachers are trained in early identification and evidence-based intervention programmes, 90 per cent of students with reading difficulties can be educated in the regular inclusive classroom,” she said.

“We simply cannot afford to let our students slip through the cracks, especially with a declining student population. If we don’t act, the repercussions will extend far beyond the classroom. A smaller, less literate workforce will limit economic growth, reduce national productivity, and shrink consumer demand for goods and services. The private sector will feel this impact. Society will also feel it,” said Melville.

The summer literacy camps will run from July 7 to 18 with 30 teachers and approximately 90 students. Post-assessments will follow to measure impact and guide future interventions.