GraceKennedy Remittance Services Ltd, through the Western Union brand, has launched a multi-faceted national programme aimed at improving the English Language and Reading skills of primary school students. 

The recently launched programme was endorsed by the Ministry of Education which has thanked Western Union for partnering with them “to strengthen literacy development in schools”. 

The major components of the programme include: 

• The Western Union National Primary Schools English Competition, which will be held on May 1, 2008. The competition is open to primary schools islandwide and will be at the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) level.
   
• Western Union Reading Week. This will be held in April 2008 under the patronage of Her Excellency the Most Honourable Lady Hall. The theme for the week will be “Reading is Fun”.  During the Week, senior executives from Grace Kennedy Remittance Services Limited will visit schools to read to students.
   
• Western Union Learning Centres.  These Learning Centres will be established in three primary schools, one in each county, with the selection guided by the Ministry of Education.  In this project, Western Union will establish a special area for a Learning Centre with computers and Internet access.
   

• Western Union Teachers’ Workshops. Western Union will host two regional workshops for primary school teachers of English.

In launching the programme, Managing Director of GraceKennedy Remittance Services Limited, Ms. Joan-Marie Powell noted that GraceKennedy and Western Union believe that one of the core areas which need special attention is the area of education.  “This is the platform for the success of any nation.  If we examine many of the world’s strongest economies, there is one common thread among them – a solid primary and secondary education system.”  

Sandra Forbes, Marketing Manager GKRS, reacts as students of Constant Spring Primary and Junior High tell her about their English Language curriculum.

Ms. Powell also pointed out that Jamaica has to pay more attention to education if the country intends to rub shoulders with the world’s best in all fields of endeavour.  “There has been much debate, and rightly so, about the need to boost our education system and Western Union has not only joined the discussion, but we are also coming to the table with real life action and solutions”. 

GraceKennedy Remittance Services Ltd, a subsidiary of GraceKennedy Ltd, has managed the brand Western Union for the past 18 years, providing customers with a fast and a reliable way to send and receive money worldwide. Western Union continues to support community based activities through involvement in education, sports and community development. 

Students of Rollington Town Primary School read about the Western Union Primary Schools English Competition

In delivering the keynote address, president of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association Ena Barclay says her organization welcomed Western Union’s intervention. 

“The activities surrounding this venture will create new interest and encourage sustainability of the English language. Every child must master it because of the role it will play throughout their lives.”

She highlighted the importance of the role of parents, teachers and the society in encouraging children to develop a love for reading and mastering English as it will enable them to engage in meaningful communication and gainful employment.

Posted: February 21, 2006