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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Bahamian author, Henry Davis, presented copies of his book, My Country, My Island Stories, to the Sandra Edgecombe Reading Literacy Programme on Monday, May 23. According to Mr. Davis, the book should be a very interesting read for everyone because it has a number of stories covering Cat Island. The programme was launched to encourage reading for all school-aged children in Grand Bahama. Shown is Mr. Davis presenting a copy of his book to the Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville. (BIS Photo/Vandyke Hepburn)
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FREEPORT, Grand Bahama - The Sandra Edgecombe Reading Literacy Programme was described as potentially “life changing” by Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, during an official launch of the programme at the Ministry of Education in the C.A. Smith Complex on Monday, May 23, 2016.
The programme he feels will help with literacy for the young and old in the community. He thanked the organizers for giving the "greatest gift" of being able to read and write. "It will be an essential component for our growth and development to be able to understand the issues and to be able to contribute effectively in the community.”
It was in April 2014, said the Minister, that Community Youth Activist Joseph Kohler III approached the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie, the Department of Education and the Ministry for Grand Bahama about establishing a literacy programme in Grand Bahama.
"Being an educator and having a passion for young people he approached Assistant Director of Education, Mrs. Sandra Edgecombe, who took this project and ran with it. Like a true leader, Mrs. Edgecombe, while being the lead facilitator of the government programme, left a clear and concise plan behind so that those who here today can follow this plan."
He continued, "Through this programme, a community-wide effort will be organized to promote literacy among students in the high school system, and eventually adults in the community."
The programme will also be extended to assist adults with reading and writing so that their participation in the community will be more effective.
"Since coming to office, the Government of The Bahamas has spent some $5M upgrading technology and school computer labs throughout The Bahamas, and $1M on the island of Grand Bahama for the necessary upgrades that are essential for growth and development.
The Sandra Edgecombe Reading Literacy Programme was officially launched in Grand Bahama on Monday, May 23, to encourage all school-aged students to read at least one book this summer. For this, they will receive a reward. Shown from left are: Terry Goldsmith, educator; Joseph Kohler, programme co-sponsor; the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville, Minister for Grand Bahama; Marvin Rolle, District Education Officer, Ministry of Education; and Godfrey Edgecombe, widower of Sandra Edgecombe. (BIS Photo/Vandyke Hepburn)
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"Our partnership with Mr. Kohler is just one of the many mechanisms that we now have in place that will assist government so that we can definitely do a better job through private/public partnership [in order that] young people will have access to the tools necessary to learn how to read and write.
“And so, today it gives me great pleasure to be here and be a part of what is happening with this private/public partnership, and we are pleased to endorse this initiative that will lead to a better mechanism for education to improve literacy and to give Grand Bahama the opportunities and tools necessary to reach individuals, particularly in the high schools, from East End to West End."
District Education Officer, Marvin Rolle, said the purpose of the programme is to have young people enjoy reading this summer, and receive a reward at the end of the summer.
In getting the programme started, students are encouraged to get a form, get a book and read it, and complete the form/book report; then return the form to the Ministry of Education.
While young people are encouraged to read more than one book, they are required to read only one and do a book report in order to be eligible for a reward.
The age-appropriate book lists will be issued by the schools.
The level of a child’s vocabulary is indicative of potential for success: so students from grade one through 12 are encouraged to participate.
Joseph Kohler, a native of New York, said he was humbled to be there with so many educators and leaders who have brought the programme to where it is today. He said he remembers when his parents would read to him and he would read back. This, he added, was very helpful to him.
Being very active in the library, Mr. Kohler came up with the idea of calling it the Knowledge Resource Centre, which it is still referred to as today.
Referring to Sandra Edgecombe's passion, reading and writing, Mr. Kohler described sharing with her a programme of Howard Jacobson of Rochester, New York, that assisted with the challenge of literacy there. The programme, he said, has assisted over 100,000 students who previoulsy were not reading and writing in New York.
© Copyright 2016 by thebahamasweekly.com
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