Ashcroft Foundation equips libraries
The Michael Ashcroft Foundation continues to help schools nationwide upgrade their educational facilities. On Thursday, phase three of the programme was completed as five more schools were equipped with modern libraries.
Richard Painter, CEO, Michael Ashcroft Foundation.
“Michael Ashcroft is very keen that the young children in the primary schools has access to books. We’ve now undertaken three phases of installing new library facilities into the primary schools. There are now today twenty primary schools fully equipped with libraries such as this one we see here today. It caters to the full range of ability from fictional subjects to the full range of non-fictional knowledge books for youngsters to gain a good understanding as part of the education in the schools. That is very important for children to be able to learn, to understand literacy for the development of the country.”
University of Belize’s Erlindo Pech has been identifying schools that have a need for improved library facilities.
Erlindo Pech, Human Resources Development, UB
“My role in the project is to make sure that schools are aware that such a project exists and ask them to send in requests to see if they would need a library. Of course there are some limitations to that. Once a school applies for a library, then I visit the school to see what facilities they have. And whether it is… Because many schools have libraries, and so those schools would not be given priority. We try to give priority to those that do not have any kind of facilities at all.”
Each new library is started with a four thousand-dollar donation. One thousand for furniture and three thousand for books. Though a relatively small gesture, it has made a big impact at Monkey River’s Anglican School.
Virginia Linares, Principal, St. Stephen’s Anglican School
“We never had a library before. This is the first library that we will also share with the community.”
Q: Can you tell me what difference this library will make for your school?
Virginia Linares
“Well for us it will make a big difference. Like many other schools the children are poor at reading and with some of the books we have in the library it will encourage the children to read more. We have books from the Baby Sitter’s Club, we have Disney Classics, we have different stories for children right up to adult stage, even reference books.”
Library inaugurations were also held at Holy Ghost Primary School in Dangriga. With six hundred and thirty-five students in attendance, some of them showed their appreciation for their new library the way they know best…dancing punta.
Pricilla Daniels, Principal, Holy Ghost School
“The library will help children to do research material and it will encourage them to read more. Everyone will use the library from infant one to standard six.”
“We have a schedule set up whereby teachers will take turns in the evening after school, at least one hour, so that children will make use of the library. During class time, a schedule will also be set up, so that teachers can go in there with their children to use the library.”
With the completion of phase three, twenty schools have been furnished with new library facilities. The Ashcroft Foundation will continue to assist the schools as the need arises. Reporting for News 5, Jose Sanchez.
The other three schools equipped this week were Douglas R.C. School, Democracia Government School and Louisville R.C. School. Primary school principals who would like to be involved in the next phase of the project should contact Ernest Raymond in the Ministry of Education at telephone 32062 in Belize City.
