Principal of the Good Shepherd Primary School, Olivia Hinds, wants the importance of reading and literacy, to not be undervalued now in this time of online learning.
She shared this view during a handing over ceremony to the school, thanks to the work and contributions of The University of the West Indies (The UWI) Student Alumni on Monday.
Hinds, who graciously thanked the Alumni for their work in transforming one of the school’s rooms into a small, but functioning library, also added that though much of her school’s population had much experience over the last few years in the online learning space because of the pandemic, reading and literacy still go hand in hand in creating a well-rounded student, who can operate easily in the modern workforce.
“A library is very important to a school… the children have been reading online for the past couple of years since the pandemic has started, and now that they are back at school, now that you have given us this library, [with] a variety of print material which is important for them to use and to manipulate so that they read.
“It’s okay to be online, but you see you have to read your exam papers, you have to ready to [be able] to understand. When they get the opportunity to read and understand, then they become better with their [literacy].”
Vice-president of The UWI Student Alumni, Cecilia Neblett-Brathwaite, said the project started in earnest in September of 2021, with the aim of collecting books both from the National Library Service, and also from members of the community, in the hopes of creating an interesting and safe space for students to engage keenly with the provided reading material.
“Sometimes it’s very difficult to come to the public library, so if you can have these small libraries placed at schools it will make it much easier for children to read and to enjoy reading… we wanted to make sure it was accessible, and that it is a safe and happy space because we recognize the various learning styles of different students.
“We also have toys as well that can talk and play games with, so that students can better understand the importance of literacy and the benefits of having creative minds.”
The vice-president also revealed that the St. Martin’s Mangrove Primary and other rural schools are also being looked at by the Alumni for similar future library projects for students. (SB)
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