BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE school year began positively for the Bronte Welsh Primary School today (Sept. 8) after its students were the recipients of several hundred exercise books, colouring pages, pens and pencils from the Rotary Club of St. Kitts.
The materials were sponsored by the local branches of Digicel and the National General Insurance Corporation. Rotary St. Kitts President Gordon Julien noted that the donation was in honour of International Literacy Day, which is celebrated on September 8 of each year.
According to the United Nations’ website, the aim of the day is to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies. The 2009 theme is “Literacy for Empowerment”.
During the handing over ceremony earlier today at Bronte Welsh, Julien expounded on the connection between literacy and Rotary St. Kitts.
“We are very serious about literacy in Rotary, to the point that we have designated March 2010 as National Literacy Month. The Federation boasts of having a 98% literacy rate and people may ask why we need to draw attention to the issue, but there are a number of people leaving school who cannot complete a job application or conduct a proper interview.
“International Literacy Day is important because it gives persons the chance to celebrate the fact that so many of us are able to read and write and can contribute in a meaningful way to our economies. It’s also an opportunity to draw attention to the almost 800 million people worldwide that cannot read or write, and the 72 million children of primary-school age who are out of school,” he stressed.
Although preparations for National Literacy Month are still in the preliminary stages, the Rotary President divulged his plans to hold an interschool math competition as one of the events. Additionally, the club plans to hold several discussions about literacy and its implications on the economy and society.
Bronte Welsh Primary was adopted by Rotary St. Kitts in November 2008. Since then, the club has made several donations of supplies to the institution and has invested in the school’s various reading programmes and activities.
Principal Daun Hazel thanked Rotary for its continued assistance, especially as it related to the literacy development of the students.
“When they came onboard in November, it was at a time when we had vowed to make reading our top priority. From the start, Rotary St. Kitts has been right there with us. Their contribution to our literacy programmes has been invaluable and we know we can expect additional support as we try to elevate our staff and students,” she said.
