Tuesday is Read Across Jamaica Day

Tuesday, May 8 will be observed as ‘Read Across Jamaica Day’ as part of a national initiative to promote reading and literacy.
Governor-General, His Excellency, the Most Hon. Professor Kenneth Hall, read and signed the official proclamation at King’s House yesterday (May 3), during a courtesy call by the executive of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA), led by president, Hopeton Henry.
The JTA, in a statement, appealed to the nation to use the day to focus on the importance of reading and the need to motivate children to read and master basic skills in the education process, noting that many children face “significant difficulties” because of their inability to read.
“The attainment of national education goals by 2015 will require enhanced reading skills in our students,” the JTA said.
According to the JTA, Road Across Jamaica Day, “is expected to foster interest in reading by bringing together the entire community to participate in the promotion of literacy”.
“We anticipate that parents, business leaders, political representatives, public officials, celebrities in music, sports and entertainment, will visit schools to read to children,” the JTA said, noting that research has shown a connection between adults reading aloud to children and enhanced language development.
Started by the JTA in 2005, ‘Read Across Jamaica Day’ is part of activities to mark Education Week 2007 from May 6 to 10.
Activities get underway on Sunday with a church service at Calvary Baptist Church in Montego Bay and continue on Monday (May 7) with the official donation of $1 million in electrocardiogram tests to the nation’s teachers by the Heart Institute of the Caribbean, at the JTA’s head office downtown Kingston. The Prime Minister’s Medal of Appreciation for Service to Education will take place at Jamaica House on Teachers’ Day, Wednesday (May 9), while Thursday (May 10), commemorated annually as Helen Stills’ Professional Development Day, will be devoted to a seminar under the theme: ‘Quality Education – A National Responsibility,’ which will be held at the Wyndham Rose Hall hotel in St. James.