Education key to unlocking poverty

Education is the route out of poverty was the message Commissioner of Police, Keith Miller relayed to students of the Belair Government School yesterday.{{more}}

Miller, a former student of the school, was the featured speaker at the launch of the school’s literacy week, which ends on Friday.

Literacy week is being celebrated under the theme, “Breaking through Barriers with Literacy Intervention”.

To kick-start the week of activities, a march and rally were also held yesterday, where the students carried placards displaying messages about the importance of literacy.

Speaking of his experience growing up in the Belair community, Miller informed the students that becoming literate was one of the key reasons behind his life’s achievements.

“I have to say thanks to some teachers who gave me the proper foundation in this school…

“I want you to become focused on becoming educated, to become literate so that you can take up your rightful position in society,” Miller told the students.

The police chief also urged the students to use literacy to break the barriers that can prevent them from accomplishing a high standard of living.

“A high standard of living will include you having a proper vehicle, you having a proper house or you being able, down the road, to give your children the education they need, so that in the future they too can endure and enjoy a high standard of living,” Miller said.

Meanwhile, principal of the school Joy Mathews issued a challenge for parents and other members of the community to play a more active role in assisting students in their academic development.

She explained that their goal at the Belair government school is to ensure that all students are able to read before they graduate to secondary education.

“But we cannot do it alone,” Mathews said.

“In your spare time, come to the school and assist one of our slow learners. Read to a class. Let the children know how being literate has placed you in the society, how it has changed your life socially and financially.”

Mathews went on to say that she’s had to turn away from certain situations to avoid embarrassment where individuals are unable to read and write or to conduct a sensible conversation.

“Too often I have to cringe when I hear young men and women punctuate their sentences with expletives, due to their limited vocabulary.

“One of our slogans today says that reading builds our vocabulary.

“So, my brothers and sisters, come on; we can be the change,” Mathews further stated. (AA)