Peace Corps volunteers continue to focus on Primary English Literacy Project

Peace Corps volunteers stationed in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) will continue to focus on the Primary English Literacy Project, which is being conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.

Associate director (SVG Office) of Peace Corps Cuthbert ‘Mr Cool’ James gave this assurance last Monday, as he welcomed the 88th group of Peace Corps volunteers to these shores.{{more}}

Speaking at the swearing in ceremony at Frenches House, James stressed that the Peace Corps will continue to focus on literacy, as recent examination results, from the Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA) to the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC), show that there is work to be done in this area.

However, James said that while there is a problem with English, results have shown that there is also a serious problem with mathematics. He added that in the future, the Peace Corps hopes they can also assist in this area, because numeracy and literacy go hand in hand.

The new Peace Corps volunteers and their postings are: Amanda Reveles (Sandy Bay Government School), David Gregory (Lowmans Windward Anglican School), Kiernan Dunlop (Troumaca Government School), Mary Von Ah-Gregory (Lauders Government School), Maya Tims (Barrouallie Government School) and Stephanie Bahr (Richland Park Government School).

James said that the new volunteers are here to not only teach, but also to learn about Vincentian traditions and culture.

Country director Peace Corps/Eastern Caribbean Mary Kaye Lowndes said that the Peace Corps and this country share a special bond, after almost 50 years of working together to enhance the quality of life of Vincentians. She noted that youth and community development are just a few of the things that they have placed focus on and now they have moved to literacy.

She noted that the move to literacy was spurred by discussions with stakeholders in the Eastern Caribbean about three years ago, “and we thought that this was one of the areas we could make a huge difference in, seeing that literacy is one of the foundational building blocks of life.”

Lowndes said that they are proud to be helping as, “if one is able to read, the world truly opens.”

To the volunteers, she stressed that the challenges will be outweighed by moments of feeling satisfied and welcomed by the communities and schools in which they will be operating.

The gathering also heard from Minister of Education St Clair Jimmy Prince.(LC)