NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2024 22 EDMUND BARTLETT FEATURE Published November 5, 2009 Christopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer WESTERN BUREAU: TOURISM MINISTER Edmund Bartlett has committed himself to improving the grades four and six literacy rate at every primary school in his East Central St James constituency. “Grade four is key to me because that’s where the signs of literacy and numeracy are manifested, and if you don’t master literacy and numeracy at grade four, dog eat your supper at grade six when GSAT (Grade Six Achievement Test) comes,” Bartlett said in his address at Pioneers’ Day. The event was organised at John Rollins Success Primary School in St James on October 30 as part of the institution’s fifth anniversary. MOVING FORWARD Minister Bartlett used John Rollins Success Primary as an example of his declaration. He praised its five-year development and achievements, but noted that it is important for the school to continue moving forward. “Moving forward means that the literacy programme for this school has to step up a notch or two,” he said. “And I am committed as I am to grade six, (so) I’ll be providing the required textbooks for every child in grade six, not only at this school, but every primary school in this constituency.” Bartlett also voiced his intention to improve John Rollins’literacy rate of 64 per cent for this year. IMPROVING LITERACY RATE “I said to Mrs (Yvonne) MillerWisdom that 64 per cent will not cut it in 2010,” he asserted. “So, we are going to be working together on grade four to raise 64 per cent to 100 per cent within the next two years ... and in 2011, we’ll wipe out every single per cent other than 100 per cent literacy mastery in this John Rollins Success Primary School,” he said. Bartlett commits to improve literacy rate strong voice”. He added: “We will be able to access project support for various global activities, including sustainable tourism development.” CONFERENCE VICECHAIRMAN Bartlett, who is playing the role of vice-chairman at the conference, is scheduled to address the 150 ministers and heads of national tourism organisations from all over the world during the plenary session on Jamaica’s response to the UNWTO Road Map to Recovery thrust, as well as the air passenger duty (APD) constraints, visa restrictions“which I feel is a deterrent to accelerating tourism and travel”, and the cost of travel globally. Elated by the amount of attention Jamaica has been receiving internationally, Bartlett said the response was really heart-warming. “There is definitely a demand for Jamaica’s ideas and programmes,” he noted, adding that the country was being viewed positively in terms of its potential for leadership in the global community. Commenting on the country’s appointment on the council, Ambassador Frank Pringle, who served on the UNWTO for several years while he was tourism minister in 1989 and even after he relinquished the post years later, said this was a plus. “Certain countries are recognised for their input in tourism. Despite being small, Jamaica’s tourist board (JTB) is recognised globally much more than it is recognised here. We are recognised for our contribution to tourism and one fact is that there are JTB offices throughout the world. A lot of bigger countries don’t have that complex of offices,” said Ambassador Pringle. janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com UN CONTINUED FROM 20
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