10,971 INFANT SCHOOL CHILDREN RECEIVE TEXTBOOKS FROM THE PALMYRA FOUNDATION - JAMAICA TOURIST ISSUE 10
Although some textbooks are available to students starting primary school, resources have not yet reached the country’s infant school level, where the lack of textbooks and basic supplies affects the majority of children. With early childhood education proven to be a significant factor in the promotion of healthy, successful lives, the Palmyra Foundation has focused its efforts on providing free textbooks to the country’s youngest.
While 2,000 infant school children received 15,000 free textbooks from the Foundation in its first year, close to 11,000 four-six year olds benefited from books from the charitable organization this year. The price tag of this year’s book purchase was US$285,000 (JM$20.3M), part of which was raised at the Foundation’s 2007 Fundraiser in Montego Bay, where The Honourable Prime Minister Bruce Golding gave the key note address.
The willingness to help the nation’s youngest learn to read and write clearly extends to the Foundation’s 40+ volunteers who helped bundle and distribute almost 50,000 textbooks to 88 public infant schools across the island’s 14 parishes. A global group of social entrepreneurs including locals from Jamaica and expatriates from the United States, Italy, England, India, Ireland, Spain, Sri Lanka, Cuba, Columbia, Romania and Canada, the volunteers all share a desire to make a difference and the conviction that education is the key to creating a better future and driving the back roads of Jamaica to hand out textbooks has clearly been a joyful experience. Said Kathi Constanzo, The Palmyra Foundation Chairperson; “Once you come with us to visit the children and personally distribute textbooks, the purpose gets into your heart and under your skin.”
Said Jamaican born Stacey Chung, who has traveled the globe as a music and artist promoter for many years; “I have found a way to become a goodwill ambassador for my beautiful country. These children motivate me, they inspire me.” Said volunteer Raquel Dadlani about why she became involved with the Foundation; “The most important asset in Jamaica is our children, therefore education is vital to our country.” Volunteer Madhu Mahtani voiced the same opinion; “Being involved with the Foundation makes me feel like I am doing something to help the future generations of my country. I feel that I am making a difference.”
The Palmyra Foundation’s book drive supports a massive effort undertaken by the Ministry of Education to ensure that students achieve mastery of the Grade Four Literacy Test, the internationally accepted standard for threshold literacy. Said Minister of Education, Andrew Holness; “Currently, we have implemented three programs designed to eradicate illiteracy among our children.”
According to Holness, one of the Ministry’s main efforts is the strengthening of teaching resources. “In practice, this program is deployed through 50 literacy specialists who work with clusters of schools to improve the teaching capabilities of our teachers.” The Minister further highlighted the Literacy 1-2-3 program, which provides a curriculum and the necessary support materials for the three first grades. Additionally, the Minister pointed to the Expanding Educational Horizons (EEH) project, which is aimed at raising the literacy level of Grades One to Four students. Said Holness; “A partnership between the Ministry of Education and USAID, the program targets the 72 primary schools on the island and seeks to improve school’s leadership, management and instruction capabilities.”
According to Holness, the most significant factor in improving literacy in Jamaica is to get the nation to understand that lack of reading and writing skills still is a widespread problem. Although mastering levels have improved significantly from 42% in 1999 to a reported 71 % today, too many children continue to fall behind. Stated the Minister; “It is a national objective to eliminate illiteracy.”
Commenting on the benefits of The Palmyra Foundation’s distribution of free textbooks, Holness said; “In the short term, the distribution of textbooks will strengthen the children’s preparedness to manage the primary school curriculum. In the long term, it will help develop a reading culture.” Said the Minister; “Education is a partnership. We extend our hands in working with other interests in the area of education, such as The Palmyra Foundation, and are very grateful for the assistance we have received so far.”
The Minister’s opinion is shared by teachers and principals across the island, who have welcomed the complimentary textbooks. Said Mr. Eann Singh, Principal of Vaughansfield School in St. James; “We have found that the children who have textbooks are much better equipped to deal with the next grade. They get used to having their very own set of books at school and quickly learn the importance of reading.”
Chairperson Kathi Constanzo commended the Foundation’s many supporters; “Every textbook matters and no donation is too small. We thank the many volunteers and businesses who have contributed time and money towards this year’s distribution.”
While 2,000 infant school children received 15,000 free textbooks from the Foundation in its first year, close to 11,000 four-six year olds benefited from books from the charitable organization this year. The price tag of this year’s book purchase was US$285,000 (JM$20.3M), part of which was raised at the Foundation’s 2007 Fundraiser in Montego Bay, where The Honourable Prime Minister Bruce Golding gave the key note address.
The willingness to help the nation’s youngest learn to read and write clearly extends to the Foundation’s 40+ volunteers who helped bundle and distribute almost 50,000 textbooks to 88 public infant schools across the island’s 14 parishes. A global group of social entrepreneurs including locals from Jamaica and expatriates from the United States, Italy, England, India, Ireland, Spain, Sri Lanka, Cuba, Columbia, Romania and Canada, the volunteers all share a desire to make a difference and the conviction that education is the key to creating a better future and driving the back roads of Jamaica to hand out textbooks has clearly been a joyful experience. Said Kathi Constanzo, The Palmyra Foundation Chairperson; “Once you come with us to visit the children and personally distribute textbooks, the purpose gets into your heart and under your skin.”
Said Jamaican born Stacey Chung, who has traveled the globe as a music and artist promoter for many years; “I have found a way to become a goodwill ambassador for my beautiful country. These children motivate me, they inspire me.” Said volunteer Raquel Dadlani about why she became involved with the Foundation; “The most important asset in Jamaica is our children, therefore education is vital to our country.” Volunteer Madhu Mahtani voiced the same opinion; “Being involved with the Foundation makes me feel like I am doing something to help the future generations of my country. I feel that I am making a difference.”
The Palmyra Foundation’s book drive supports a massive effort undertaken by the Ministry of Education to ensure that students achieve mastery of the Grade Four Literacy Test, the internationally accepted standard for threshold literacy. Said Minister of Education, Andrew Holness; “Currently, we have implemented three programs designed to eradicate illiteracy among our children.”
According to Holness, one of the Ministry’s main efforts is the strengthening of teaching resources. “In practice, this program is deployed through 50 literacy specialists who work with clusters of schools to improve the teaching capabilities of our teachers.” The Minister further highlighted the Literacy 1-2-3 program, which provides a curriculum and the necessary support materials for the three first grades. Additionally, the Minister pointed to the Expanding Educational Horizons (EEH) project, which is aimed at raising the literacy level of Grades One to Four students. Said Holness; “A partnership between the Ministry of Education and USAID, the program targets the 72 primary schools on the island and seeks to improve school’s leadership, management and instruction capabilities.”
According to Holness, the most significant factor in improving literacy in Jamaica is to get the nation to understand that lack of reading and writing skills still is a widespread problem. Although mastering levels have improved significantly from 42% in 1999 to a reported 71 % today, too many children continue to fall behind. Stated the Minister; “It is a national objective to eliminate illiteracy.”
Commenting on the benefits of The Palmyra Foundation’s distribution of free textbooks, Holness said; “In the short term, the distribution of textbooks will strengthen the children’s preparedness to manage the primary school curriculum. In the long term, it will help develop a reading culture.” Said the Minister; “Education is a partnership. We extend our hands in working with other interests in the area of education, such as The Palmyra Foundation, and are very grateful for the assistance we have received so far.”
The Minister’s opinion is shared by teachers and principals across the island, who have welcomed the complimentary textbooks. Said Mr. Eann Singh, Principal of Vaughansfield School in St. James; “We have found that the children who have textbooks are much better equipped to deal with the next grade. They get used to having their very own set of books at school and quickly learn the importance of reading.”
Chairperson Kathi Constanzo commended the Foundation’s many supporters; “Every textbook matters and no donation is too small. We thank the many volunteers and businesses who have contributed time and money towards this year’s distribution.”
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