Jamaica focuses on national literacy standards

In a bid to raise the literacy level of students across Jamaica and in turn national literacy standards, the Ministry of Education is planning to refocus its efforts on a number of initiatives geared towards a national literacy thrust. Speaking during the first in a series of round-table discussions on literacy held Friday, March 28, 2008, at the Ministry of Education in Kingston, Andrew Holness, education minister, said he was aware that the nation faced serious issues as it relates to literacy at all levels of society.

“In recent times, we have seen where even at the level of adult literacy we are having major problems with persons accessing employment,” he said. Holness said there was also a direct link between illiteracy and violence in schools as many students are often frustrated at the fact that they are unable to understand and access what is being taught. “This is by virtue of them just simply not being able to read and write,” he said. Read more in The Jamaica Gleaner online.