– during celebration of International Day of Literacy 2014

THE Ministry of Education yesterday celebrated International Day of Literacy 2014 under the theme ‘The literacy revolution has begun’ with a literacy exhibition at Main Street, Georgetown.

As part of the Ministry of Education’s National Literacy Action Plan under the theme ‘Literate by Grade 4 through consistent home, school and community involvement’, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand also launched the five-year literacy strategic plan.

Speaking at the launch, Assistant Chief Education Officer, Primary, Marcel Hutson remarked that the Ministry of Education has recognised the need to have quality education and to improve literacy countrywide.

“As we celebrate International Literacy Day, our literacy launch could not have come at a better time. And I do believe that is critical in the process of life and if we do not master reading at an early age we become lost in society,” Hutson emphasised.

He highlighted the absolute importance of grade level reading being achieved or else it will create a massive barrier in the education and professional life of that student. “As a ministry we are determined that every child should be able to read at grade 4 and part of this task lies in the hands of the parents,” Hutson said.
Chief Education Officer, Mr. Olato Sam, noted that the more literate the population, the greater the output of that nation. “We should work towards this; the call today is to establish a culture that encompasses the theme ‘Literate by Grade 4 through consistent home, school and community involvement’.”
He reiterated his colleague’s position that everyone needs to get involved if Guyana is to become fully literate and to encourage persons to start giving books to children instead of other items. “Encourage them that reading is fun and also important…”
Meanwhile, in her feature address Minister Manickchand alluded to the fact that all across the world governments, NGOs, ministries and other organisations recognise that their country is not at a place they want to be where literacy is concerned and because of this they have embarked on “the literacy revolution has begun” mission.

She asserted that in the education sector, “while we are at the best place we have ever been we are not comfortable as a Government and as a Ministry that we are in the best place that we can ever be. That is why an effort is required from every single one of us if we are to get to this place.”

32% READING AT GRADE LEVEL

Minister Manickchand said that the Education Ministry had conducted a literacy test on the number of students who can read at their grade level. This test was conducted from Grade One to Grade Six, and while it does not say that the students cannot read, “it simply opened our eyes that more needs to be done since only 32% of our students are reading at grade level.”
Manickchand concluded her address by urging parents to consider that their support, assistance and encouragement will be very important to their children’s education.

Yesterday’s event also saw the minister and other education officials, students and religious leaders being the first to participate in the ‘Drop everything and read’ initiative as part of the many activities to commemorate Education Month 2014.

Students also had the opportunity to visit the mini exhibition and read a book.

(By Rebecca Ganesh)