Grade three students to improve literacy and numeracy skills at summer school

KINGSTON — More than 140 grade three students are set to benefit from a summer school programme, geared at improving their literacy and numeracy skills.

The programme, which was officially launched on July 11, 2011, at the Balcombe Drive Primary and Junior High School, in Kingston, will see students from both Balcombe Drive Primary and Junior High as well as the Seaward Primary and Junior High Schools participating.

Teacher, Seaward Primary and Junior High School, Maureen Atkinson, explained that the programme will last from Monday, July 14 to Friday, July 29, 2011.

“The aim is to raise awareness of the students and to start preparing the students entering grade four for the literacy and numeracy examinations. Students will be grouped according to their weaknesses to facilitate a more one-to-one contact with them,” Mrs. Atkinson said.

Teachers will also provide and support students who are below the grade three levels, to master foundation skills in both Mathematics and Reading. Students will also be exposed to computer skills training and will participate in co-curricular activities while participating in the programme.

In his remarks, Minister of Education, Hon. Andrew Holness, urged the parents to invest in their children’s education by sending them to the summer school programme.

“We will give the nutrition and we will give as much support as we can. We will pay the teachers and we will protect them here,” he said.

The Minister urged the parents to invest in their children, and emphasised that if they ensure that their children are literate, they will be able to make the most of their lives and be able to care for them when they are old.

He argued that with the children in summer school, it will be less likely for them to be on the street corner and getting involved in undesirable activities.

“The more you have them in the classroom, the less time they will have to make mischief, and the more you have them educated, it is the stronger they become in making the life decisions about being good citizens, good parents and good business people as well. So, let us make that investment now,” Mr. Holness implored.

Meanwhile, Board Chairman, Seaward Primary and Junior High, Bruce Bicknell, said the need to improve literacy among students cannot be over emphasised.

“The Ministry of Education is adamant that the scores of our students in literacy and numeracy must be improved. So parents are, therefore, encouraged to give their support to our teachers and our children,” Mr. Bicknell said.

For her part, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Audrey Sewell, also encouraged the students to learn as much as they can during the summer programme.

“This programme integrates well with our thrust to improve literacy and numeracy. You, who are in grade three, will be going into grade four and so you will be a little ahead of the others. So I want to encourage you to learn as much as you can, because this is just one of the things that we are doing to ensure that every one of you can learn and will learn,” Mrs. Sewell said.

In his remarks, Principal, Balcombe Drive Primary and Junior High, Daniel Clarke, said he is sure the summer programme will “bear some fruits.”

By LATONYA LINTON, JIS Reporter