Asha Smith (left), a grade-five student, and Kacia 'Jetter' Lindner, of Grade Four, browse through works done by their peers. - Anthony Minott photos

Independence City Primary School, located at 10 Tampa Avenue, had another successful staging of their Literacy Fair.

Three major highlights of the fair were the presentation to the school by the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) of books and other memorabilia, an inspiring speech by Jennifer Harris, special needs coordinator at the Ministry of Education, Region Six, and veteran storyteller, (librarian), Patricia Cuffe reading stories from her new book, Swiney Porks and the Mystic gyrations.

The book is being published and promoted by the JIS.

Harris, during her speech, said Independence City Primary School's Literacy Team is working to eradicate illiteracy in the school and by extension, the wider society. "This is a dream that the entire country wishes to achieve. Wouldn't it be great to have a literate country, one in which everyone is able to read and write? Wow, what a wonderful country and world this would be?"

Leisa Dawson and Merlina Sinclair were the teachers who coordinated the Literacy Fair. Dawson had this to say: "I take this opportunity to thank all the teachers that helped to make this venture possible. We could not have done it without your input."

Improve Literacy

The school, led by principal Jascenta O'Connor, with vice-principals Audrey Young and Doreen Crawford at her side, has used various means to improve literacy. The school's mandate is to achieve a 100 per cent literacy level, which now stands at 75 per cent.

Young in particular, through her club, Independence City Primary Junior Optimist Octagon Club, has used different methods to improve competence in reading by putting on a reading marathon and other programmes geared at enhancing reading, especially in the lower school.