May 4 is Read across Jamaica Day in Schools

Schools islandwide will observe Read Across Jamaica Day on Tuesday, May 4, as part of activities for Education Week, which is being celebrated from May 2-8.
The celebration of the day is of particular importance to the Ministry of Education, as it seeks to achieve 100 per cent literacy at the primary level by 2015.
Director of Communications at the Ministry, Colin Blair, said that Read Across Jamaica Day has always been a significant event for the Ministry but even more so now, “since we are working assiduously to achieve the 100 per cent literacy rates by 2015.’
“The Day will place emphasis on imparting to children, parents and other stakeholders the knowledge that it is vital for our students to be literate,” he told JIS News.
According to Mr. Blair, Read Across Jamaica Day will take place in all primary schools islandwide and will feature a number of different activities.
“All schools are being implored to plan activities aimed at promoting the importance of reading and being literate. I am also encouraging past students, community members and other influential persons in the school community to make themselves available to read to students and support the school activities being planned for the day,” he urged.
Minister of Education, Hon. Andrew Holness, is expected to read to students of Balcombe Drive Primary and Junior High in Olympic Gardens. Other Ministry representatives and senior government officials are scheduled to participate in reading activities in other schools.
Education Week is being spearheaded by the Jamaica Teachers’ Association.