THE JAMAL foundation yesterday stressed the importance of reading and writing to the students of Clan Carthy Comprehensive High School, as it marked World Literacy Day at the Kingston school.

“Long time ago it used to be acceptable to just be able to sign your name but things have changed. It is now important than ever, to be able to read so you can get information and function in society,” executive director of JAMAL, Seymour Riley, told the approximately 100 students gathered in the school’s auditorium for the function.

“We are highlighting the importance of literacy because millions of people around the world cannot read or write,” Riley told the students.

He urged them to use the educational opportunity that they had at school. “It is very important that you read and keep on reading. Use your time wisely and study because you cannot enjoy life if you can’t read or write,” he said.

A similar message was expressed by Principal of Clan Carthy, Trevor Samuels and other officials from JAMAL.

Parish manager for JAMAL’s Kingston and St Andrew office, Lurlene Wright, told the students that if they did not use their time at school wisely they would end up coming to her organisation for help to read.

“We have many students who are leaving secondary schools and are coming to us for help to read. Many of them are between 15 and 17 years old. Don’t waste your time here or you might have to come to us,” she said.

After the function, she told the Observer that of about 400 day students that were admitted for their reading programme yearly, most of them were unable to read at the basic level.

“We give them an entry test. They have to read a level one text which has 35 simple words like class, sew, is and so on. We ask them to identify 25 words and many of them can’t do it,” she said.

She explained that for level two tests, the students were asked to read simple sentences. The testing, she said went up to level three.

“Most of the students we get are at level one and two. We work with them, bring them up to a certain level and in some cases re-enter them for high school exams,” she said.

Two Clan Carthy students also spoke of the importance of reading. “I read because it makes me a better person and it is fun. Reading can also help you to get a decent job and so on,” said student, Syreeta Smith.

“I learnt today that if you don’t have an education you cannot get a good job. You have to know how to read and write too so that you don’t eat your name on bulla,” said 9th grade student, Jerome Manning.