Veteran educator says literacy rate declining

The level of literacy in Barbados is on the decline, according to a veteran educator.

Sandie Field-Kellman, who has been in the business of teaching for over 30 years, says the literacy rate in Barbados today may be closer to 65% rather than the 99% the country once boasted.

She’s been speaking exclusively to the Morning Report about the situation.

The Principal at Sandie’s School of Literacy and Reading is concerned the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated an already worrying trend regarding poor literacy among more and more children in Barbados.

She says not enough diagnostic testing is being done to identify problem areas facing students.

In response, Ms. Field-Kellman is launching a new programme called SEED, Sandie’s Early Education Drive.

It happens on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at the Bay Street Esplanade.

She’s urging parents to come and register children from as young as five years old for free.

She says it will allow students to take advantage of programmes aimed at helping them get back on track as far as literacy is concerned.

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