Eight local businesses, and organizations generously contributed a combined 193K to the Mission: Educate Bahamas Foundation in a newly formed private/public sector partnership geared toward improving education in our public primary schools. This funding provided by, Furniture Plus Co. Ltd, Kelly's House and Home, Fidelity Merchant Bank, Royal Bank Of Canada, Caribbean Bottling Co., Credit Suisse, The Cable Cares Foundation, and Len-Glo Bus Service of Andros will facilitate the immediate expansion of the breakthrough, melodic learning program "TuneIn To Reading Program" throughout Government Primary Schools in both New Providence and the Family Islands.
In a Press Conference held yesterday by the Minister Of Education, Science and Technology, the Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald, it was announced that several additional primary schools will now be able to receive the necessary Lapbvtop Computers, Headsets, instructional teacher training, and TiR software needed to facilitate the program and bring them on stream . Minister Fitzgerald also revealed that in the coming weeks several Members Of Parliament including himself, will be investing an additional $160,00 from their respective constituency allowances into the TuneIn To Reading expansion.
"Research shows how effectively children learn with emerging tools for the classroom that enhance the teaching and learning process through the use of interactive technology. This is particularly so for primary schools, where students’ future success depends heavily on their experiences in the early grades. Consequently, there is a demand for more innovative programs such as “Tune Into Reading” (TiR™) that will captivate young students’ interests and allow them to improve their reading skills in an interactive and enjoyable way," said Minister Fitzgerald.
TuneIn To Reading, uses music-based computer lessons to help students improve in the areas of literacy, reading fluency, comprehension and word-sight recognition. The U.S based program is designed to reach struggling readers "where they are," allowing children of varying reading levels to learn side by side in a classroom setting, without the social stigma of being placed in lower-level classes.
TiR™ was launched in New Providence four years ago by brothers Christopher and Terry Tsavoussis, proprietors of Wendy's Bahamas and Marco's Pizza. It debuted at Columbus Primary School. Over the years Wendy's has spent in excess of 351,000 to get the program up, and running in 14 local public primary schools. On average, students using the program demonstrate reading gains of 1.4 - 2 years, after only 9 weeks of use, comprising of 3, 30 minute sessions each week. In addition to the strides made in reading, teachers and administrators have praised the program for restoring excitement, enthusiasm and a renewed sense of confidence among their students.
"Mission: Educate Bahamas, is purposed to increase literacy and improve our students' learning abilities through technology-based tools that enhance and deepen their learning experience, explained Mr. Tsavoussis. I am extremely grateful for the support of our corporate and private sponsors, and can report that together our private/public sector partnership will continue to move literacy and education to new and exciting frontiers in this country."
The Mission: Educate Bahamas Foundation is committed to providing local schools and educators with technology-based tools to boost literacy and improve student education, engagement and empowerment. For more info, or to donate visit: www.missioneducatebahamas.com
Left to Right: Gevon Moss, Cable Cares Foundation; Peter Waller, CFO, Credit Suisse; Walter Wells, President & CEO, Caribbean Bottling Co. Ltd, Gregory Bethel, President, Fidelity Merchant Bank, Mr. Lenroy Sturrup, Len-Glo Bus Service, Andros, Nancy Kelly, President, Kelly's House and Home, Christopher Tsavoussis, Co-Founder of "Mission:Educate Bahamas," & President of Wendy's, Hon. Jerome Fitzgerald, Minister Of Education, Science and Technology, Krystynia Lee d'Arville, V.P. of Marketing & Special Projects, Furniture Plus Ltd. Not Shown: Deborah Zonicle, Royal Bank Of Canada ("Picture by Aletha Cooper, Ministry Of Education.")
