Optimist Club donates to Old Harbour schools

The donations, the OCNHV said, are in response to the impact of significant learning loss at the institutions caused by the covid19 pandemic.

Still reeling from the impact of this global health crisis, a sharp decline in literacy amongst students has been noted at the South Street-based Temple Light Basic and state’s only primary school in Planters Hall.

In keeping with the Optimist International Caribbean District’s flagship project for 2023-24 – titled ‘Unlocking Potential: Empowering Caribbean Children with Literacy’ – the OCNHV gifted three 43-inch Android Smart Television to Planters Hall as well as donated three Trapezoid wooden student desk and nine chairs to Temple Light.

In response, principal of Planters Hall Primary and Infant, Morrett Weir expressed, “The learning loss experienced by some of these students is so significant. Therefore, these smart televisions will help to enhance the teaching learning experience.”

Principal of Temple Light Basic School, Latasha Powell, tearfully stated: “We are so grateful for everything but we are extremely thankful for the desk and chairs as many of the ones we have, have fallen into disrepair.”

The club’s project and finance chair, Paulstan Francis, stated: “We at OCNHV are committed to continuing our efforts to assist, especially in situations where children’s learning have been impacted negatively by the recent pandemic. So, there was no hesitation on our part to source and provide these items for the schools.”

Governor’s Assistant for the Optimist International Caribbean District Notoya Williams, spoke on the district’s focus as well as expressed gratitude on behalf of Governor Patrice Hanson to the OCNHV for their partnership in ensuring the its mandate on literacy is fulfilled.

Present at the presentations was the Education Officer for Region 6, Brenda McDonald and Kereen Reid Clarke, community relations officer also of Region 6. Reid Clarke expressed that the gifting of the smart televisions were timely as it ties in with one of the mandates of the Ministry of Education.