More than 50 primary and secondary school students in Kingston 13 communities benefited from a comprehensive basic literacy and numeracy campaign aimed at enhancing their reading and mathematical skills.
Organized by the New Kingston Rotaract Club (NKRC), in partnership with Rotary Club of New Kingston (RCNK) and the Victory Gospel Assembly, the initiative which assumed the form of a competition sought to build comprehension and critical thinking skills; remove the stigma around mathematics and build participants' confidence and problem-solving abilities.
Vice President Deidre Ann Burrell presents an award a winner of the 10-13 category
The competition, titled "The More You Learn, The More Places You'll Go", featured two main sections: literacy (comprehension and spelling) and numeracy (mathematics). Students, aged 6-17, were divided into three categories—6-9, 10-13, and 14-17 years—and challenged to demonstrate their skills. In the literacy section, participants answered questions based on reading materials provided to them, testing their comprehension and critical thinking abilities. The numeracy section included problem-solving exercises to reinforce real-world mathematical skills.
Following two months of preparation led by literacy and numeracy coaches including club members, just under 40 students entered the qualifying round of the competition comprising written tests. Fifteen students advanced to the second round. From there, 10 finalists were selected to compete in a live audience setting. Ultimately, 10 winners emerged and were awarded prizes, including tablets, trophies, and gift baskets valued at $500,000.
A winner of the 14-17 category
The impact extended beyond the individual winners, leaving lasting benefits for the participants and their communities. Students received valuable feedback to improve their skills, while parents and community members celebrated their achievements. The competition also helped erode negative stigmas surrounding inner-city communities by showcasing their talents and potential.
Rotaractors and Rotarians at the award ceremony