Schools across the island were filled with excitement yesterday as students and educators celebrated Read Across Jamaica Day, an annual observance that forms a key part of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association’s Education Week.
Under the theme “Turning Pages, Shaping Our Future,” Senator Dr. the Honourable Dana Morris Dixon, Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, led the day’s activities, visiting Constitution Hill Primary and Infant School in St. Andrew and the Randolph Lopez School of Hope in Kingston. There, she read to students and emphasized the importance of fostering a lifelong love of literacy.
Dr. Morris Dixon was joined by several dignitaries, including Speaker of the House of Representatives and Member of Parliament for East Rural St. Andrew, Mrs. Juliet Holness; U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, Mrs. Amy Tachco; U.S. Public Affairs Attaché, Mr. Michael Lavallee; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Kasan Troupe; and Director for Regional Educational Services/Region 1, Mr. Ottis Brown.
Encouraging a culture of reading at home, Minister Morris Dixon called on parents to lead by example. “Take them to the bookstore. Let them choose the books for themselves and let them see you reading too,” she said. “If they see the parent reading, then that gives them interest too in reading. We must do everything we can to instill reading in our children.”
She also noted the importance of offering reading material that resonates with students’ interests—particularly boys. “We don’t always have to do the regular books. There are graphic novels, comics, whatever we can do to make it fun. Give them something that’s interesting, that’s exciting,” she advised.
In line with the government’s broader national literacy strategy, the Minister announced the introduction of timetabled reading periods for Grades 1 to 3, set to begin in September 2025. These sessions will be supported by teacher training and newly developed resources.
“We have said literacy is a commitment of ours, and we feel very strongly about it. That’s why we’re doing this,” she said. “Our teachers want the same thing as us – for every student to leave school being able to read.”
Permanent Secretary Dr. Kasan Troupe is spearheading the development and distribution of reading materials in preparation for the rollout. The Ministry is reaffirming its commitment to equity in education. “We’re not leaving any child behind at all,” Minister Morris Dixon emphasized.
The Ministry expressed gratitude to all individuals and organizations that participated in Read Across Jamaica Day across schools, calling on every Jamaican to view literacy as a collective responsibility.
“By turning pages with our learners, we are shaping a future where every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive through reading,” the Minister concluded.
