Georgetown: Guyana celebrated World Literacy Day on Monday with the Ministry of Education organizing two major events: “Give a Book” and “Drop Everything and Read”. Guyanese were asked to give a book to another person and encourage them to read, and at 11:00h, all were invited to drop everything and read for 15 minutes. A number of media houses joined in this innovative literacy drive organized by the ministry and provided 15 minutes of special programming designed to encourage their audiences to read.
School visits
Minister of Education Ms. Priya Manickchand seized the opportunity to visit a few locations around Georgetown to give away several books, read, and speak to the significance of reading and literacy.
Upon visiting her primary Alma Mata, Stella Maris Primary School, the minister was greeted at the gate by a group of cheerful pupils, delighted and proud to have her visit their school. She was then led, together with school and ministry officials, along with media operatives present, to the school’s literacy corner where a bright Angela Dos Santos read a story to the minister entitled: “The School Play”.
In handing over a quantity of books to the school, the minister urged the parents and teachers present to continue to pay very careful attention to literacy and its importance in the development of their children. She spoke directly to the gathering urging them to form partnerships with each other to improve literacy in Guyana. “We must partner with each other if we are going to raise the level of literacy in our country. We in government have got education as our highest priority. It is the sector in which we invest the most; and we will continue to invest significantly in education. But, we cannot do it alone. As teachers, parents and even you pupils gathered here, you all have to work together at improving literacy in Guyana,” the minister said.
She also urged the pupils gathered to do their best and excel in their school work. “We need you to be good pupils, be disciplined, be respectful of your teacher, and be diligent with your studies,” she advised.
Parents at Stella Maris thanked the minister for taking the time to come and visit the school and for handing over a large quantity of books for the pupils.
Book distribution around Georgetown
Several locations around Georgetown had large tents erected and officials from the Ministry of Education gave away free books to the public. Outside the administrative office of the ministry at 26 Brickdam Stabroek and 68 Brickdam, scores of persons turned up to collect the free books being given away by the ministry.
Also demonstrating his support for the ministry’s focus on literacy was the Honorable Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony. He gave away a collection of Guyanese Classics to the Ministry of Education as a show of his support to the further enhancement of literacy in Guyana.
Speaking at this symbolic handover, Dr. Anthony said: “I am very pleased to be a part of this wonderful initiative by the Ministry of Education. Today, on behalf of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, I symbolically hand over a collection of Guyanese Classics. However, this is not the end. Our ministry intends to hand over 100 more collections – each collection amounting to 38 books – to the Ministry of Education to be distributed to schools nationwide.”
There were also tents set up at Stabroek Market Square, Camp and Regent Streets and on the lawns of the National Library. Several thousand books were given away. Persons praised the ministry for successfully launching such an imaginative initiative and are looking forward to have it continued next year.
Minister visits NCN
At 11:00h, the entire country was asked to “Drop Everything and Read”. Television and radio stations in partnership with the ministry interrupted their regular programming to facilitate this brilliant initiative. Television stations scrolled texts to encourage their viewers to read for 15 minutes. On radio, a variety of creative methods were employed to promote reading. Scores of persons called in to radio stations and read from their favorite pieces of literature.
The minister was at NCN and read her favorite piece of material: The Desiderata by Max Ehrmann, on Channel 11, 100.1 Fresh FM with Malcolm Ferreira and on 98.1 Hot FM with DJ Casual.
It was an eventful day for literacy in Guyana and the Ministry of Education would like to specifically thank all those persons who played a role in making these events a success, especially: His Excellency, President Donald Ramotar; Honorable Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony; Leader of the Opposition, Mr. David Granger; Leader of the AFC, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan; National Cricketer, Ramnaresh Sarwan; and all the religious leaders who took part in sending out positive messages about literacy to all Guyanese. To those media houses that unreservedly came on board and worked with the Ministry of Education to make this unique Guyanese celebration of World Literacy Day a success, Thank you all. A special thank you goes out to the following entities: NCN, Guyana Chronicle, Kaieteur News, Guyana Times, NTN 69, MTV 65, HGP TV, TVG, HGPTV, E-Networks, Sagacity Media Inc.,89.1, 89.5, and 94.1 Boom FM.
It is very important that parents and guardians have children view reading as a delightful indulgence, and not a chore. Children who are exposed to reading are much more likely to choose books over video games, television, and other forms of entertainment as they grow older. Books have the power to benefit everyone in myriad ways. Encouraging children to read is one of the most important things one can do as a parent or guardian that can prepare your children with an unshakable foundation for academic excellence.
Let us all continue to raise the level of literacy in Guyana by encouraging each other to read every day. Let today be the beginning of an important and vital relationship with books.
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