THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE MEMBERS of the Jamaica Association of Guidance Counsellors in Education (Portland Chapter) are very concerned about the poor reading levels of our students, especially among our male students. We are therefore suggesting the following idea as just one of the ways that could be used to encourage our students to see that reading is enjoyable and that this in turn could help in motivating them to learn to read.
We are proposing that popular personalities, for example Courtney Walsh, Lady Saw, Luciano, Mutabaruka, Richie B etc. be used to read various types of stories. Types of stories could include Anancy stories, Brer Rabbit stories, Nancy Drew, Aesop's Fables etc. The presentations could be shown every day on one of the television stations for approximately 15 minutes to half an hour. Our students would therefore get to see these personalities actually reading from a book. Illustrations from the story being read could also be presented.
We are certain that enough personalities could be found who would be willing to volunteer their services to this cause, including 'Dancehall' artistes. Many 'Dancehall' artistes have been criticised for 'glorifying' the negative aspects of our society. However a number of such artistes have expressed a desire to do more than just vocalise about our problems. We believe that by taking part in the proposed venture, this would enable them to become a part of the solution to some of the problems that they sing about.
We are therefore asking one of our television stations to think seriously about the idea put forward.
I am, etc.,
DENISE LOGAN
Public Relations Co-ordinator
Jamaica Association of Guidance Counsellors
(Portland Chapter)
