Fair Hall Government School Reopens Refurbished Library

THE FAIR HALL Government School is the most recent recipient of assistance from Hands Across the Sea, a philanthropic organization providing books to schools in the Caribbean to help improve students’ literacy skills.

On Tuesday March 3, the school officially reopened its library which has been refurbished through a collaborative effort of CIBC/ First Caribbean Bank, the Mustique Charitable Foundation with support from the Ministry of Education and the Parent Teachers Association (PTA).

CIBC/First Caribbean country manager, Shelly-Ann Samuel said the Bank was pleased to assist with the enhancement of the school library.

Citing the importance of reading, Mrs Samuel told the students that reading is very important and a fundamental part of our development (individual). According to her, it increases a person’s knowledge base as well as enhances communication skills.

“Reading can guide us throughout our lives by finding out things we had never known unless we had read about them,” she said.

She encouraged the students to keep reading as a hobby and asked them to use the donated books wisely. “I trust that the library will be an important part of your school life and we are happy that we are able to sponsor this reopening of the library,” she concluded.

The Mustique Charitable Foundation’s representative, Dularie Malcom, in her remarks said her foundation collaborated with Hands across the Sea to ensure that the school received the shipment of books.

She praised the teachers at the school for their innovative activities to mark literacy week which began on March 2. Some of the activities included pajama bedtime stories day reading to senior members of the community, and depicting their favourite story character.

“We must commend persons who educate our children when they find innovative ways to interest our children in learning, so you are trying very hard to keep the children interested, she said.

Hands cross the Sea was represented by Yvette Pompey. She encouraged parents and caregivers to read to their children, using every available opportunity. She then advised the students to make good use of the library and the resources donated, which she said would help struggling readers.

The School received 892 books from the organization along with additional teaching resources.