Her Excellency the Most Honourable Lady Allen once again demonstrated the importance of reading among children when she participated in the Western Union I-PLEDGE National Reading Week, a programme of GraceKennedy Remittance Services.
As Patron of the programme, Lady Allen highlighted that her sustained partnership is girded in her belief that reading is fundamental to the wholistic development of the nation’s children.
Lady Allen read to and interacted with students of the Randolph Lopez School of Hope as part of the Special Needs Initiative on Wednesday (May 31, 2017) and culminated the week with students from across the County of Surrey who were gathered at the Hope Zoon on Friday (June 2, 2016). She used both occasions to encourage students to develop a habit of reading so that they can be successful in school and be adequately equipped to excel in their chosen careers.
Recognizing that everyone must play their part in ensuring that literacy levels improve islandwide, Lady Allen stressed that reading should not only be done in the classrooms but must be emphasized in the homes. “As an educator, a mother and a grandmother I understand first-hand how students are able to excel once they are able to read and how they are held back if they are not. I therefore call upon parents and guardians to read with children, allow them to read to you, and ask questions to ensure that they comprehend what was read,” Lady Allen stated.
Ms. Vinette Rowe, Marketing Manager of GraceKennedy Money Services, commended Lady Allen for her commitment to educational development in Jamaica and expressed her appreciation for her continued support of the programme.
“Her Excellency’s passion has advanced the mandate of the programme to promote reading as a necessary tool in developing critical thinking, problem solving and comprehension skills among our nation’s children,” Ms. Rowe commented.
Custos of Kingston the Hon. Steadman Fuller and Ambassadors of The Governor-General’s I Believe Initiative (IBI) also read to children.
This year’s reading week was held under the theme, “Read Today Succeed Tomorrow”.