– Baksh
EDUCATION Minister Shaik Baksh has announced that his ministry is looking to put computers in three depressed Georgetown communities, as a pilot project to stimulate interest in literacy among less fortunate children.

Speaking at a recent forum in the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), on Battery Road, Kingston, Georgetown, he disclosed that four systems each have been allocated for Albouystown, Tiger Bay in South Cummingsburg, Sophia and Cummings Lodge.

Mr. Baksh explained that the software for the experimental programme will be equipped with various edutainment games of high literacy contents designed to capture students’ interest.

The terminals, being donated by the Ministry, will be in the care of persons from the respective beneficiary areas, he said, adding that the introduction will duplicate a similar scheme in India which has earned resounding success in boosting the literacy level of the underprivileged.

Baksh also revealed that he is willing to introduce it to entice illiterate adults and out-of-school youths, who are prone to drop out from classes, to rethink their position.

He assured the gathering of representatives from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that his ministry is prepared to purchase the computers and disburse them to institutions which implement adult upgrading programmes.

Baksh said, too, that the curriculum of the literacy programmes will be revised to include, apart from the academic disciples, lessons on tolerance, civic responsibility, self-esteem and negotiating skills.

He underscored the need to maintain and sustain high standards in the delivery of life-long learning, pointing out that no individual must be on the left hand side of the continuum.

Baksh acknowledged the unsatisfactory performance of primary school pupils but said plans are on stream to raise the competence of those who have completed that phase of their education.

He reiterated that, this September, all community highs will be made secondary schools and 40 of them would implement a six-year programme, the first year of which is designed to elevate poor performers at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) to acceptable secondary school level.

Baksh said the National Grade Two, Four and Six assessments are being strengthened to yield more satisfactory results.

He said, currently, it is being debated whether the five marks award for the grade two assessment should continue or be used as a diagnostic tool to measure students’ showing.

Baksh revealed that his ministry is aiming to issue certificates to successful candidates at the National Grade Four Assessment, with the objective of putting pressure on teachers in the various schools to do well.

He said the objective of that move is to administer three certificate examinations to grade four candidates before they undergo the National Grade Six Assessment, in an effort to elevate them to acceptable standards.

Baksh encouraged primary school teachers to apply the pre and post test techniques to assess performance and get a sense of the areas which need strengthening.

National Literacy Coordinator, Mr. Murray Greenidge, who also spoke on the occasion, observed that the dropout rate of young adults who joined the National Fast Track Literacy Programme is a major concern.

However, he was optimistic that, with more support from NGOs, many will remain and complete the course.