A portion of a literacy and arts camp culminated on Friday August 3rd. The event was hosted by the Ministry of Education office in San Pedro. Students from various levels from primary schools all across the island participated in the one week camp which took place at the San Pedro High School. The camp was held under the theme “Learn to Read and Read to Learn.”
According to the Ministry of Education office in San Pedro, a total of about 120 students participated in this year’s camp. The students learnt various skills that will improve their reading. “Scientists believe that 60 to 70 percent of any reading materials consist of sight words. We notice that a lot of the participant had problems with sight words. With the help of the reading camp, I am sure they will improve a little more. I want to encourage parents to help their kids to improve their level or reading,” said Miriam Codd-Pott, the Belize Rural South Education Officer.
The students were divided into different groups depending on the class they are attending at the primary school. At the closing ceremony, each group did a presentation for their parents and invited guests. All the students received a certificate of participation in the 2012 Summer Literacy and Arts camp. At hand to deliver the certificates was the Deputy Mayor of San Pedro, Severo Guerrero Jr. Councilor Guerrero also encouraged the students to keep on reading, because it help makes a better and more productive person.
And while the Literacy part of the camp is over, some 15 students continue to participate in the arts section of the camp. The students are developing their painting techniques, learning to work with pastels. The 15 students will be given certificates of participation next week in a separate closing ceremony.
The Ministry of Education would like to thank the following person for making the camp a success: Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., San Pedro Town Council, San Pedro Cultural Committee, Deputy Mayor Dr. Severo Guerrero, and Castillo’s Hardware, the volunteer parents and teachers and most importantly the students for attending the camp.
