The literary achievements of the students and staff of the Stubbs Government School were showcased last Friday at an exhibition held at the school.{{more}}

On that day, the students and staff also visited pre-schools, the Stubbs Poly-Clinic, the Stubbs Police Station and the elderly in the community of Stubbs, as part of the activities to mark the end of the school’s literary campaign, held throughout the week.

The programme was aimed at highlighting the importance of literacy.

This year’s week of activities was celebrated under the theme: ‘Exploring the World through reading’.

Literacy Co-ordinator Veronica Caine, at the launch of the week of activities on Monday, February 21, said that it was important that students learn the basics (reading and writing) at an early stage.

While acknowledging that learning to read and write was a lifelong process, Caine contended that the early childhood years serve as the foundation.

“Children who do not know how to read and write will have difficulties in school and eventually later on in life,” Caine explained.

She further stated that it was important for students to acquire the necessary literacy skills that will enable them to be effective readers and writers.

She, however, noted that learning to read and write was challenging to most students.

Caine said this warranted teachers to create a classroom environment, in order to allow students to interact with books.

Earlene James, Principal of the school, spoke on the complications associated with learning to read.

“The wrong kind of pressure may produce unfavourable results,” she contended.

James also commented on the importance of students’ ability to comprehend what they read, rather than focusing solely on ensuring that they pronounce the words correctly.

“To read is to think,” she said.

James also spoke of the need for proper diagnostic testing, to ensure that the instructions meet the needs of the affected students.

“Do not shut out the possibility of adjusting your teaching methods to suit students’ different reading needs,” she said.

“If there is failure to do this, the result is frustrated students,” she continued, as she urged teachers to minimize the risk of having students labeled with negative attitudes. (DD)