Basseterre, St. Kitts, December 18, 2020 (SKNIS): A Reading Intervention Programme is being implemented in schools across the Federation, says Minister of Education, the Honourable Jonel Powell, during his contribution to the Budget Debate on December 18. The programme is designed to boost the development of reading and literacy skills in low achieving students for whom regular classroom instruction is insufficient so that their level of progress and achievement improves thus increasing their ability to access the curriculum and work independently, he said. The Reading Intervention Programme is being implemented in a total of 18 schools, that is, 17 public primary schools, as well as the Cotton Thomas Comprehensive School. There is a total of 25 reading intervention teachers. One will be stationed in smaller schools and two in larger ones. Minister Powell said that the lowest achieving students in grades one to six are enrolled in the programme. Approximately 435 students are currently enrolled. He added that the reading intervention teachers are working with classroom teachers to develop an individual education plan for each student who is enrolled. Students are taught individually or in small groups depending on their needs. Sessions are generally 30 to 60 minutes long depending on the need of the students, he said. In terms of training, the reading intervention teachers completed a 12-week certificate course in the teaching of reading undertaken with the University of the West Indies (UWI) and funded by the OECS Early Learners Programme, said the minister. They were also trained to administer the Caribbean Assessment Battery Reading, which is a diagnostic assessment to identify students reading levels, their strengths and their weaknesses. The minister stated that additional training in the form of professional development sessions were held twice monthly and will continue to further enhance the teacher’s ability to cater to the student’s needs. -30- |
Wednesday, June 17
Trending
- Saint Kitts and Nevis Reaffirms Commitment to the United Nations Charter at Commemorative CARICOM Signing Ceremony
- FIVE BILLS FOR SECOND READING IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2026
- DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER HANLEY ENCOURAGES STUDENTS TO PURSUE CAREERS IN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY AND OTHER EMERGING FIELDS
- THE DISCOVERY CENTRE, GOVERNMENT AND THE STAR FOUNDATION TEAM UP TO OPEN NEW PEDIATRIC THERAPY FACILITY TO EXPAND SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
- Saint Kitts and Nevis Participates in High-Level CARICOM Retreat to Strengthen the Caribbean’s Collective Voice at the United Nations
- Prime Minister Drew to Attend High-Level Meetings in Belgium and Climate Mobility Forum in Germany
- WATER CONSERVATION CRITICAL AS SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS RECORDS 44 PERCENT RAINFALL DEFICIT
- METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES WARN OF PROLONGED DROUGHT CONDITIONS DESPITE ONSET OF RAINY SEASON

