Celebrating a Culture of Reading in the Caribbean

October 16th, 2010

SVG_Kids_marching-2009In the last two decades, most Caribbean countries have taken significant steps to improve their education systems, but major challenges remain. Those challenges include unequal access to education, high dropout and repetition rates as well as poor teacher quality.

Caribbean governments have implemented a variety of programs to address the demand for education in their countries. In general, these programs have recognized that it’s crucial to reach the poorest, most disadvantaged students. Educators have noted that providing free textbooks and creating classroom libraries are the most cost-effective ways to improve equity in education.

GLP supports the Millennium Development Goals and one of our current priorities is maximizing children’s access to early childhood education and primary school. Our high literacy cluster model seeks to create a culture of reading that will motivate children to enjoy their school experience as well as to take reading home. In a high literacy cluster, students will also have access to community learning centers or libraries. We want the learning experience to become associated with stimulating and child-friendly environments that provide safe spaces for boys and girls with convenient services that lead to an awareness of the importance of education and its relevance to life and future opportunities.