Literacy Clinic to go countrywide – Education officer

Education Month 2016

Even as the three-part Literacy Clinic programme has reached a conclusion, it is likely the initiative will go countrywide. This is according to Education Officer Samantha Williams who told this publication on Sunday that Education Ministry is currently undertaking steps to take the programme to the country’s 10 administrative regions.
Guyana Times however understands that the logistics of such a move indicates that it has to be “rolled out” over a one-year period. This most recent incarnation of the reading and comprehension initiative began at Fun City, Ramada Princess Hotel, followed by the Giftland Mall; and concluded at the Georgetown Seawall in the vicinity of the bandstand.
The Literacy Clinic is in keeping with a drive to promote and enhance literacy in Guyana and once again saw operatives of Education Ministry introducing and enlightening children about literacy through the use of coloured signs, charts, learning aid, books and other spelling equipment.
The children were given material for their age category and parents and guardians are given tips on how they can strengthen their children’s reading and comprehension skills.
One parent, Debbie (only name given) expressed gratitude that her daughter was able to participate in the literacy drive. She pointed out that it will assist in enhancing her child’s spelling skills, and increase her ability to identify words, which in turn would enhance her vocabulary. “They should have more of this in school,” the parent noted.
A grandmother, Pamela Houston told Guyana Times that such programmes are healthy alternatives to children just sitting at home watching television. With this in mind, Houston brought her three grandchildren to the seawall on Sunday. She voiced support for programmes like this which will encourage children to read.
At the launch some two weeks ago, Acting Chief Education Officer, Marcel Hutson had explained that the ministry embarked on a drive to ensure that “every child is literate”.
“We are going to produce children who can read, analyse and think critically,” he noted, pointing out that parents must be especially involved in their children acquiring the requisite reading skills…”we strongly believe that if parents are integrally involved in their children’s education, our children will do far better,” the acting CEO had opined.
This year’s programme fell under the theme, “Together let us work to raise literacy level of our children’.