Why wait to correct illiteracy

THE EDITOR: We at Moms for Literacy endorse the Prime Minister’s announcement that the CEPEP workers will receive adult literacy training. There is indeed an urgent need for literacy programmes to be introduced into all communities, and we at Moms for Literacy feel that something needs to be done for the thousands of children who are at risk of slipping through the primary school system and becoming tomorrow’s illiterate adults.

By now we all agree that illiteracy is one of the underlying causes of crime. Moms for Literacy, like ALTA has been working to combat illiteracy over the past 12 years. Our focus has been with children between the ages of eight and 15. We have seen the effects on a child’s self-esteem — withdrawal from classroom activities, disruptive behaviour and depression. Those feelings are magnified as they become older. If the reading difficulties are not corrected at an early age, our young people will not have the opportunity to become productive members of our society, and therefore will be more likely to turn to criminal activities. Why wait until our children become illiterate adults to correct the problem? Moms encourage parents to help their children develop reading skills from an early age. Ten minutes a day will make a huge difference in how quickly a child picks up the skills of interpreting and comprehending the written word.

ROSEMARIE THOMAS
PRO, Moms For Literacy
62 Silvermill Road
San Juan