Atlantic LNG helps in literacy programme

Atlantic LNG has donated $14,500 to a special literacy and numeracy programme for secondary school students in the Point Fortin area.

The programme, which is entitled “Empowering through Education: a Holistic Approach,” is sponsored by the Point Fortin Rotary Club. Some 60 students from the Pt Fortin Junior and Senior Secondary Schools are now enrolled in the programme which began on November 10. Barbara Ayuen, director Community Services, Pt Fortin Rotary Club, said the idea for the programme came from a desire to address the falling performance rates among secondary school students in the borough and the nexus between unemployment and crime.

At present, classes are conducted at the Pt Fortin Chamber building during students’ free time, twice per week, two hours per session, depending on their school hours. The five tutors in the programme are drawn from the Adult Literacy Tutors Association (ALTA). The numeracy aspect of the programme will begin in six months’ time, while computer training and career enhancement sessions will come in later. At present, half an hour of each training session is devoted to the development of social skills such as building confidence, the art of respect, substance abuse, punctuality and regularity.

Students in the programme were identified by principals of the various schools. Ayuen said there as been an overwhelming response by students and their parents, so much so that with more funding and the physical infrastructure, the Rotary Club plans to expand the programme to other schools in the St Patrick county. An adult literacy project is also on the cards.