EU-Jamaica Run raises $4.5m for literacy drive
Published:Wednesday | June 26, 2024 | 12:10 AMAsha Wilks/Gleaner Writer
The European Union (EU) has successfully raised $4.5 million to support three schools in improving literacy levels and lowering their vulnerability to crime and violence.
This was made possible by the more than 3,500 people who registered for the EU-Jamaica 5K/10K Walk and Run held in March, under the theme ‘All Together, Against Crime and Violence’.
In light of research indicating a correlation between low literacy rates and a greater incidence of crime and violence, the EU held the event to generate funding aimed at making this impactful intervention.
On Tuesday, the donation was made to the Creative Language-Based Learning (CLBL) foundation, which will put on literacy summer camps for the children of Edward Seaga Primary, St Andrew Primary, and Holy Family Primary and Infant – all in the Corporate Area.
Speaking at the handover of proceeds ceremony, EU Ambassador Marianne van Steen expressed appreciation for the tremendous support the second staging of the event received, noting that proceeds from last year funded a literacy summer camp at Kingston High School.
“We are very satisfied [with] the success of last year’s literacy summer camps, which were an opportunity of hope and transformation for the children of Kingston High School,” she said.
Van Steen characterised the summer literacy camps’ effectiveness as a “truly life-changing” experience for kids whose life experiences and challenges have caused them to lag in their academic development.
“Education is a cornerstone of the European Union’s global agenda, and it holds special significance in our partnership with Jamaica. We firmly believe that every child deserves access to quality education and the opportunity to succeed,” she said.
Education and Youth Minister Fayval Williams reaffirmed her ministry’s commitment to addressing school violence and “breaking the nexus” this has with low literacy in students.
She mentioned that during the past year, the ministry and the EU have been partnering on this with a special focus on helping to educate parents on the ways that they can improve communication with their children.
“By the time we close this school year, we would’ve had some 85,000 parents going through our parenting seminars on topics such as how to talk to your children about sensitive topics, how to be an effective parent, how to be a present parent,” Williams said, adding that the work will continue as the ministry recognises the significant role parents play in their children’s lives and well-being.
The minister added that she has seen the CLBL “in action”, following her visits to Mountain View Primary and Denham Town High School and was pleased to see the enthusiasm of the children embracing the programme.
Joseph Matalon, chairman of the CLBL, expressed gratitude for the EU’s sponsorship of the foundation’s work over the last two years.
He shared that the foundation will be able to significantly expand its reach and impact owing to the additional funding.
“The session will benefit 45 students, up from 19 last year, overseen by an increased contingent of consultants from Linda Mood Bell, with CLBL mobilising two coaches, three mentors and 16 trained teachers,” Matalon detailed.
He went on to say that the literacy sessions would not only allow trained educators to gain supervised, immersive practice, but would also be giving the involved pupils a head start on their reading for the upcoming academic year.
“We aim to deliver 80 hours of training and professional development for each teacher, exposing them to all aspects of the programme as they engage students with varying learning needs,” he said.
The participating teachers will also nominate participating students from their September 2024 classes who will be first assessed to identify strengths and weaknesses, followed by 50 hours of instruction, providing the opportunity to close learning gaps by at least one grade level during the summer.
In 2025, to commemorate its 50th anniversary of partnership with Jamaica, the EU will host its third 5k/10K event.