THE National Literacy Department of the Ministry of Education (MoE) has successfully launched its new Primary School Libraries initiative, ensuring that every primary school across Guyana is stocked with a selection of classic and contemporary literature for children.

This initiative is part of a larger effort to eliminate illiteracy in schools and communities, as directed by the Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand.

The initiative, which started in 2023 and came to fruition in 2024, marks the first time that storybooks have been purchased specifically for primary school libraries, expanding beyond the provision of recommended textbooks for core subjects. Minister Manickchand, speaking at the launch, highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to supporting students with the resources they need to excel.

“We have bought textbooks for every single child from grades one to grade 13, individually for your own book bag,” Minister Manickchand said. “It is the first time the country has ever had that.” She emphasised that while the Ministry prioritises textbooks, it also values the importance of childhood enrichment through storybooks. “We want to see children reading stories that transport them, expand their imagination, and make them think of different things happening in the world.”

As part of this literacy drive, students will be rewarded with prizes for every hundred books they read and report on, encouraging a love for reading and critical thinking. A diverse selection of 28 titles, including popular series such as The Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Harry Potter, and The Magic Treehouse, were procured for the libraries, with some series offering as many as six to nine books.

Assistant Chief Education Officer (ACEO) for Literacy, Stembiso Grant, revealed that each primary school library would start with 460 books, with over 200,000 books already purchased. Grant noted that while many schools have spaces designated as libraries, these spaces are often underutilised or disorganised. The new initiative aims to transform these areas into vibrant learning hubs, complete with structured systems for borrowing books and trained librarians.

“We believe that school libraries are the heart of our educational institutions,” Grant said. “They are vibrant learning hubs where the seeds of knowledge are planted, nurtured, and grown.”

The launch of the Primary School Libraries initiative not only celebrates the joy of reading but also represents a renewed commitment to tackling illiteracy in Guyana, ensuring that every child has access to books and the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.