Literacy co-ordinator at the Herbert Morrison Technical High School in Montego Bay Lorna Crooks helps students as they try out the computers inside the new reading laboratory at the institution. (Photo: Mark Cummings)

WESTERN BUREAU - The Herbert Morrison Technical High School in Montego Bay now has a new reading laboratory valued at $1.1-million.

The brainchild of Lorna Crooks who serves as the institution's literary coordinator, the laboratory was the result of collaboration between the Jamaica 4-H Movement, the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica and the high school.

Crooks explained that the laboratory was well needed at the institution since there were students, particularly those who entered via the Grade Nine Achievement Test, who were reading below their grade level.

"It's just a few of them who read at their level and so this impacts negatively on the school's performance," she told the Observer.

She added that next week will see students tested to determine their reading level. After that, she said, a programme will be planned to suit their individual needs.

Mark March, a fifth form student at the 28 year-old institution, believes the new facility will help to improve the reading skills of his fellow students.

"The reading lab will definitely help students that can't read well. They will have a comfortable environment to learn and a good teacher to help them," he said.

Senator Noel Montieth, who opened the laboratory on Wednesday, said it was a good example of the benefits to be gained from partnerships between the island's private sector and its public education system.

"This project typifies the kind of relationship the government has been attempting to foster in the field of education," Montieth said, adding that such partnerships, were always welcomed.

Meanwhile, he said the facility is a remarkable achievement that will enhance the quality of education offered at the high school and challenged students to make good use of it.

"I challenge you to use the reading lab wisely. I challenge you to make sure that you can read well before leaving this school because if you can achieve a high level of literacy then the efforts of those who created this lab would not have been in vain," he said.

-cummingsm@jamaicaobserver.com

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