Prioritizing Reading

Sep 03, 2024 Letters

Dear Editor,

As per the news, International Literacy Day will be observed globally on September 8. This is the day set aside annually by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to focus attention on the importance of literacy, both for individual and for national development. It must not be glossed over, and in Guyana, it is rightly being addressed and capitalised upon.

In this regard, the Stewartville/Cornelia Ida (CI) National Library, that is housed on the lower flat of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) building, is hoping to host an in-house reading event to celebrate the said International Literacy Day. It is indeed a commendable gesture. This Stewartville/CI National Library comes under the Ministry of Education and is actually headquartered in the city at the well-known National Library. It is a community-based facility that is being utilised by locals.

Now, all and sundry should pay attention. Why? Because of the necessity of reading, for without the ability to read, too much will be lost. However, still far too many don’t understand just how important student literacy and reading are to student development, starting at a very young age.  The American Pediatrics Association reports that reading, when young, even infants being read to by their parents, increases academic success down the road. It is sad indeed that even today, many children enter kindergarten without the skills needed to read well. Therefore, it is crucial that educators help students bridge that skills gap.

This year, International Literacy Day will focus on Literacy teaching and learning in the COVID-19 crisis and beyond, and the emphasis will be on the role of educators and changing teaching practices. As it stands, about 773 million adults and 250 million children still struggle with basic reading and writing skills. The theme of 2024 is “Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace,” focusing on learning in different languages.

Well, this is where I am so elated, as Guyana is a few jumps ahead. Indeed , it is sad that many of the Indigenous languages in the world are at risk of dying out. Guyana is, however, fortunate in that it still has nine Indigenous languages. The Ministry of Education has for some time now been making efforts to promote the teaching of Wapishana children in their own language at the primary level, with the aim of improving literacy levels.

I recall that the Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, detailed that there are plans to expand the teaching of the Wapichan language in several communities in the South Rupununi. Her goal is to seek to bridge the language gap to enable hinterland children to learn in their native languages. Among the several plans was the training of teachers in several of the communities to deliver the ministry’s curriculum in the native tongue. On the general scale, I know that the Ministry of Education is providing textbooks for students, even to the point where children can write directly in their textbooks. Then when it comes to the Stewartville/CI National Library, the word from Shellon Winclas, Supervisor of this growing Stewartville/CI National Library, the unit is free to join, but as per norm, once a book is borrowed and the 14-day period has expired or the book is damaged or lost, automatically a fee is attached. Winclas noted that both children and adults utilised the Stewartville/CI National Library and they would have more than 50 visitors on a monthly basis. This is most auspicious, and I hope that more and more interest will be generated.

Editor, We all know that ‘reading fluency’ is a strong indicator for achievement in further education, higher education, and future employment. The People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government acknowledges that reading can truly achieve something teachers and policymakers have been trying to attain for years: to lessen, or even eradicate, the impact of early life disadvantage. In short, only competent readers will be able to access the wonders of the curriculum, and thus improve their life chances.

Yours truly,

HB Singh

• HB Singh., International Literacy Day, Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Educational