LEAF, NA Rotaracy partners for literacy campaign in New Amsterdam

(Kaieteur News) – Students drawn from multiple academic institutions in New Amsterdam participated in a reading and literacy programme that commenced on Monday at the New Amsterdam National Library and set to run for seven weeks.

The event is facilitated by the Rotary Club of New Amsterdam in association with the Literacy Empowerment Assistance Foundation (LEAF). Currently in its third year, the annual activity is coordinated to strengthen literacy among schoolchildren from both the primary and secondary levels, who require critical assistance with fundamental reading skills, including letter identification, and reading below grade level. The programme takes a multidimensional approach in emphasising on phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and basic comprehension strategies.

President of the Rotary Club of New Amsterdam, Keshia Rodney explained to Kaieteur News on Monday that there will be two sessions per week on Monday and Wednesdays for one hour. “We are aware that as much as they are in secondary school, some of them still lack that common pronunciation, writing, and reading skill. This is one of our areas of focus – education and literacy. We continue to work with the library and LEAF on this,” Rodney highlighted.