Principals, educators and other distinguished invitees from Region Four of the Ministry of Education attended a recent back-to-school conference held under the theme: "Leadership with a Mission: Developing a Culture of Performance."

Representatives of the Digicel Foundation were also on hand in support of the two-day event that was held at the Grand Palladium Jamaica and Lady Hamilton Resorts and Spa Hotel in Lucea, Hanover.

literacy specialist

Accompanying the Digicel Foundation team was Sherome Charles, a trained literacy specialist from Vaughnsfield Primary School. Charles was instrumental in showcasing the many uses and the interactive content of the school's Mobile Enrichment Cart to conference participants. "Vaughnsfield Primary received our Mobile Enrichment Cart five months ago, and already we are seeing a big difference in our students," noted Marilyn Porter, principal at the school. "Before, the children had no audio-visual aids; now with the cart, they are seeing and hearing ,and they don't have to rely solely on their imagination anymore. They are showing a greater interest overall."

increase literacy

Mobile Enrichment Carts, containing a laptop computer preloaded with literacy and numeracy software, and a printer, which can be wheeled from classroom to classroom, are part of the Digicel Foundation's Enrichment Programme. The programme aims to increase literacy and numeracy at the primary level and supports the Ministry of Education's goal of achieving 100 per cent literacy by 2015.

The programme uses information and communication technologies and specialised teaching techniques to assist students who are reading below their grade level. In April of this year, the Digicel Foundation formed a partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), valued at more than $370 million to expand the Enrichment Programme to an additional 95 schools across the island over a three-year period.

The Digicel Foundation firmly believes in the creation of effective partnerships as a means to promote the enhanced performance of teachers and students. "We are very proud of the gains made in trying to impact the reading levels of students in grades one to three. However, there is still much more to be done to achieve 100 per cent literacy by 2015, which is why we are particularly excited about this new partnership with USAID", remarked Samantha Chantrelle, executive director of the Digicel Foundation.