STUDENTS residing in Linden, particularly on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, are benefiting from a children’s literacy orogramme themed, “Catch Up”, which is geared towards boosting their reading and writing skills. The initiative is the brainchild of municipal councillor Deron Adams, and is being facilitated by one Ms Shaliza Pile, a teacher.

Pile reportedly told Adams, who also initiated the Information Communication Technology (ICT) workshops in Linden, that there were children in Grade Four who were lagging behind their peers, and that their parents could not afford to send them to private lessons. Adams said that on hearing this, he discussed the matter with First Lady Sandra Granger during the launch of the ICT workshop, and she immediately approved of the initiative.

And thus was he encouraged to sponsor the programme to give deserving children a second chance at catching up on what they missed out on while they were in the formal classroom at school. “These children are lagging behind,” he said, adding: “Some of them don’t even know to write their names, and so the programme will be ongoing. Because, until these children catch up, we can’t give up on them.”

All of the materials are being provided by Adam’s company, ‘Corporate Supply’.
He is currently seeking out other sponsors to assist with the progrmme, so that more children can benefit as well. “The vision is to have this established in all the constituencies, so that the children will not have to travel far,” he said. “At this time, we are encouraging teachers to get on board and let’s collaborate to target children living in their area,” he added. The next target area, he said, will most likely be the Wisroc/ Block 22 community.

Noting that the thing that motivates the most is President Granger’s vision of having a well-educated nation, the Linden businessman said, “We are passionate about this in ensuring that as many children benefit. And later on, adults will be able to attend as well.” The children will receive weekly prizes so as to motivate them to do better.