GND Schools Inc. (GSI), celebrated an impressive milestone when the organisation opened its 27th primary school library at St Theresa’s Roman Catholic School in Vincennes, St David.
The library was handed over to the school on Wednesday, 23 November 2022, equipped with new furnishings and 1,000 new books.
Prime Minister Hon. Dickon Mitchell officially opened the library with a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony. Prime Minister Mitchell applauded GSI for its work done over the past 8 years in library development, as the organisation seeks to reach its goal of providing new libraries to all 52 public primary schools in the State of Grenada.
Joining staff and students for the memorable occasion were officials from the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, GSI Trustees Lyden Ramdhanny and Leo Garbutt MBE and partner and donor of GSI, Dan Lazenby.
Speaking at the library handing-over ceremony, Principal Marlene Baptiste expressed gratitude for the beautiful gift of the new library, which she said would be an asset to the school’s reading programme.
In her remarks, Chief Executive Officer at GSI Andrea Phillip, reiterated GSI’s commitment to establish high-functioning libraries for primary schools in Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique through library construction and renovation; library management and activities training; curriculum development and training and book publishing.
To date, GSI has produced 13 books for children, written and illustrated by Grenadian writers and Illustrators. Seven more books are expected to be produced in the coming year, following another round of training workshops for local writers and illustrators. The tentative dates for the upcoming workshop for “Writing Books for Beginning Readers” will be from 12-15 December for selected applicants, while the next illustrators’ workshop will be held in 2023.
Throughout 2022, GSI held a series of training workshops for over 200 participants. The areas of training included ‘Curriculum, Instruction and Support’ which targeted Principals, Literacy Coaches and Grade One Teachers on the use of the ‘Spice Reader’ in classrooms. Special training was also held in ‘Library Care and Management for all schools that have received GSI libraries.
Grenada Schools Inc. is a non-profit organisation that works in collaboration with the Government of Grenada and the private sector to improve early literacy levels. GSI is backed by main donors Michael and Melanie Sherwood from the United Kingdom. Other partners include the Rotary Club of Grenada and Grenlec.
GSI
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony – Prime Minister Hon. Dickon Mitchell and Principal at St Theresa’s RC School, Marlene Baptiste
