– many other activities organised to commemorate the event
Guyana joins the rest of the world to celebrate International Literacy Day on Thursday with a public reading session hosted by the Ministry of Education.
The “Literacy Extravaganza” was held outside of the Ministry’s Brickdam Office and saw educators, authors, students and even stakeholders in attendance.
During the three-hour event, the gathering heard readings from various stakeholders as they basked in the power of the written word.
The presenters all highlighted the importance of reading and how stakeholders, particularly educators, can play a role to encourage literacy among children.
Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry, read a piece on prolific deaf-blind author Helen Keller from the book – ‘Living for Triumph Climbing the Summit of Success’ by Felix Cortez.
According to the minister, Keller is the first person in history to attend university and graduated with honours despite being crippled with blindness, deafness and the inability to speak.
Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine was among the officials from Education Ministry at the Literacy Extravaganza on Thursday
“Helen overcame her difficulties and in doing so, she surpassed all others. No one before or after her has ever started with so little and achieve so much,” she quoted.
Henry further added that “the message really should be one of inspiration. This is a challenged person, whom we heard, overcome the odds, and I believe every child matters whether you are disable or able.”
This Junior Education Minister’s comments comes in light of the theme for this year’s observance of Education Month in Guyana, “Each Child Matters: Stakeholders Unite for the Enhancement of Education”.
Also reflecting on the Education Month theme, renowned Guyanese writer Petamber Persaud underscored that if children cannot learn the way they are being taught then they must be taught in such a way that they can learn.
Persaud noted that there are bits and pieces of literature everywhere even on billboards, and he encouraged persons, particularly students, to read at every given chance.
Other readers included: Education Advisor Vincent Alexander, Chief Education Officer (ag) Marcel Hutson, other officials from the Education Ministry, representatives from religious bodies, the Guyana Teachers Union and Parent-Teachers Association.
The “Literacy Extravaganza” was one of many activities organised around the country to observe International Literacy Day, which was held this year under the theme “Reading the Past, Writing the Future”.
