The OECS/USAID Early Learners Programme (ELP) presented valuable educational resources to several primary schools across the nation, on Monday, 23 October during a handing-over ceremony at the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development.
US$1.7 million in teaching and learning materials were officially handed over to 6 participating OECS member states, including Grenada, on behalf of the United States Government, at the regional launch of the Early Learners Programme in Grenada, on 15 September 2017.
Elvis Morain, Chief Education Officer at the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development said, “This must not just be a project and when the project is through we throw all the initiatives out the door. What we need to focus on is how do we sustain that initiative. What can we do, in the meantime, to find the resources — Ministry of Education, as well as schools — to ensure that this doesn’t just remain a project, but it really gets to the core of addressing the issue of reading.”
Ten schools in Grenada received a significant supply of resource materials, including children’s books, computer tablets, printing paper and art supplies. Karen Celestine, Early Learners Programme Focal Point (Grenada), said, “We’re really, really grateful for that structure that the OECS has come up with.”
The schools benefiting were the SDA Primary School; Constantine Methodist School; Beacon Junior School; Grand Anse Private Academy; St David’s RC School; St Andrew’s Anglican Primary School; Belair Government School; St Michael’s RC School; St George’s Methodist School and the St Patrick’s Anglican School.
Principal of the Constantine Methodist School, Shundalyn Niles-Scott, gave the vote of thanks on behalf of the various schools.
“We extend sincere gratitude for these wonderful gifts. I walked inside the room and I felt like a child. The first thing that hit me was the beautiful colours and then I saw the tablet. So, I know that when the gifts get to the schools, the students would be excited and the teachers would be — just as the students,” Niles said.
Ministry of Education
