PNP promises focus on reading to 'rebuild' foundation of education system

 

The People's National Party (PNP) is promising to rebuild the foundation of Jamaica's education system, starting with the ability to read. 

 

The promise comes a day after Education Minister Dr. Dana Morrison said the government is implementing various strategies to tackle literacy concerns in schools. 

 

Last week, the Gleaner reported that some 70 per cent of roughly 220 grade 7 students at Pembroke Hall High School are unable to read or do so only at a grade three level. 

 

Speaking Thursday at a PNP press conference, Deputy Spokesman on Education Dr. Kenneth Russell said a real chance of succeeding starts with the ability to read. 

 

"And so some of the ideas which we've put on the table, we've said under a PNP government, our focus will be on ensuring that children are reading by grade three. Because we know from the global studies that the measure of learning poverty is focused on 10-year-olds. So we want children reading with comprehension by the time they reach 10 years old, which is around the grade three, grade four mark. And so it is important for global comparison that we have standards within our system which are ensuring that our children read by grade three," suggested Dr. Russell. 

 

He said the PNP will increase access to assessment to ensure that children are developing appropriately. 

 

"These children have to wait in some cases over a year to access these services. This is unacceptable. And we intend to make the investments required so that children who have a learning disability can get the support they require in a timely manner. We also intend to mobilise our communities because this is not only about the school, not only about the ministry, it's also about us as a people. And so, through our work with the Social Development Commission, parents and other civil society organisations, this is how we're going to break the back of this challenge. We must come together, as we've done in the past," he urged.