Dear Editor,

The Jamaica Library Service (JLS) is an agency of the Ministry of Education (MOE) with responsibility for 927 government school libraries managed through its School Library Network Division.

The JLS, in support of the goals and objectives of the MOE, embarked on a pilot project to implement its Grade 4 Literacy Intervention Programme which began in Region 3 and was extended to the other five regions. Region 3 of the JLS comprises 170 school libraries in the parishes of Manchester and Clarendon.

The Literacy Intervention Programme began with two schools in Manchester where children were encouraged to participate in activities related to lessons taught from the Grade 4 curriculum. The activities were practical and so students were excited to share their thoughts in a manner which allowed them to express themselves confidently and fluently.

English was the language of choice, but they were allowed to speak in patois as well. Students were rewarded with small tokens and so they were motivated to work hard.

The literacy co-ordinator of the MOE, Region 5, Collette Morris, observed the initial programme and endorsed its creative and interactive nature in motivating the students to learn.

Consequently, in September 2011, the literacy co-ordinator selected some schools which needed special attention based on students’ performance in the Grade 4 Literacy Test. Most schools selected were small and were located in remote areas with a multi-grade structure.

Students had poor comprehension skills and limited writing skills, some had learning disabilities and others had behavioural challenges. Despite these limitations it was observed that they were eager to learn.

They performed excellently in oral skills and scored 100 per cent, but most of them lacked the basic reading and writing skills. The students enjoyed the sessions and anticipated the next one.

This year, the Literacy Intervention Programme was extended to schools in close proximity to branch libraries in Manchester. Children therefore benefited from sessions in their schools and at the branch library. Activities held in the branch library provided a pleasant experience as students enjoyed working in a relaxed environment where learning was less structured and they learnt at their own pace.

Parents were involved as they were invited to visit the public library and register both themselves and children as members of the library.

For the past two years, the annual Boys’ Reading Day programme held at the Manchester Parish Library in April during Reading Week was used as a motivational tool for boys to become enabled, empowered, excited and energised. Boys were invited to listen to male role models who shared inspiring stories on the importance of reading from an early age and the impact it made on their lives.

A poetry competition was introduced to stimulate the boys’ creative thinking abilities. The programme was successful as the boys were very enthusiastic to share their poems and participate in other activities.

The project continues to expand and new ideas introduced to engage the students and enrich their learning experiences. This year, the participants were selected from 18 schools. No school is deemed poor-performing.

The aim of the JLS is to provide support, encouragement and guidance through the use of books and other resources to improve literacy. The organisation supports the truism which states that “If children fail to learn how we teach them, then teach them how they will learn.”

Every child can learn, every child must learn.

Lorraine McLean

Regional Director

Manchester Parish Library Network