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HOME	DECEMBER 10th, 2005

Yes I Can

That's the name given to a programme undertaken by the Ministry of Education to decrease the number of adult literacy cases in the Spice Isle.

Heading the programme is Professor Oscar Sanchez, who is in charge of the Foreign Language Department in Cuba. In speaking to reporters in St. George's, Professor Sanchez disclosed that the programme is jointly funded by the Governments of Cuba and Grenada with support from the Grenada Rural Enterprise Programme. He indicated that for more than seven years the Government of Cuba has been conducting adult literacy programmes in countries such as Venezuela and Argentina.

This, he said is the very first time that they are doing such a programme in the Caribbean. The programme seeks to involve all adults and teenagers who cannot read and write and to teach them how to do it. Professor Sanchez noted that the literacy programme is into its first stage in Grenada and that is collecting and analyzing data.

He said that the persons involved in the project are visiting churches, schools and communities on the island to inform people about the programme and to collect information about those who are illiterate.

They are also trying to find out the type of literacy that exists in Grenada; those who never went to school and those who went to school but never learnt to read and write.

Professor Sanchez pointed out that after the data is collected and analyzed, videos and DVDs will be made that will be used for teaching the programme.€ The aim is to compile 59 thirty (30) minutes videos and booklets for use in the classes to be conducted.

The Cuban educator disclosed that the classes will be flexible to accommodate individuals such house wives, fishermen and other working individuals.

He announced that the management of the Fish Market has already given its blessings to use the facility to engage the fishermen.

According to Professor Sanchez, in other countries where they have conducted the programme, the duration was basically one to two months, but he felt it could take as long as three to four months in Grenada. The classes are due to begin in February or March next year.