By Saskia Warrick
The Ministry of Education has announced plans to equip all primary schools in Guyana with libraries, as part of its effort to improve literacy and comprehension skills among pupils.
Education Minister Priya Manickchand shared the news during a session on EdYou FM, emphasizing that this initiative is crucial for addressing the challenges many students face in reading and understanding texts.
Manickchand acknowledged that literacy remains a key concern at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) level, where some students struggle with reading and comprehension, affecting their overall performance.
While technological advancements are a significant part of the education sector’s transformation, the ministry still values traditional methods, such as access to books and libraries, to foster reading habits.
During her session, Minister Manickchand said, “We now are adding libraries in every primary school because we can’t forget to write,” underlining the importance of traditional learning tools alongside digital ones.
The literacy programme, initially planned for a September launch, has been rescheduled to January to ensure that all necessary materials are prepared.
The programme aims to have every child reading by Grade 4, and teachers will be held accountable for achieving this goal.
The recent increase in the English pass rate, which rose from 64.47% to 66.79% at the National Grade Six Assessment this year, highlights progress but also points to the need for continued focus on literacy improvement.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance the quality of education in Guyana and ensure that all students have the tools they need to succeed.