THE EDITOR, Sir:

Royston McKenzie's letter of Wednesday, May 13 titled 'Tackling literacy' suggested that "if the minister of education is serious about literacy he must present a strategy to teachers rather than making a declaration and leaving it to the teachers". He further went on to make recommendations that could be implemented in an effort to assist in tackling the serious problem of literacy.

In all fairness, the Ministry of Education has been placing a lot of emphasis on literacy. Strange enough, almost all the recommendations put forward by McKenzie are strategies that are being put in place by the ministry and I must commend him for his high-level of thinking.

Literacy specialists

I must inform him that literacy specialists are now being placed in various schools that are experiencing serious literacy problems. Coupled with this, there are also literacy coordinators. These regional coordinators conduct workshops which are designed to support instructional planning and supervision as well as explore strategies that enhance teaching and learning in the language arts.

Participants benefiting from this knowledge are encouraged to use the information gained in assisting other teachers during planning sessions and in supervisory duties. Administrators are also doing their best in utilising the little resources at their disposal to ensure establishment of reading resource centres.

Reading Resource Centre

The Frankfield Primary School in Clarendon has established one such reading resource centre and, I am proud to say, the teacher in charge is doing an excellent job with the students.

In my days at the Moneague Teachers' College, we were told that "all teachers are teachers of reading". I emphasise this slogan to my teachers quite often.

I am, etc.,

Rev Dr DONALD A.

JOHNSON

President, North Clarendon

Principals' Association