Freeport Primary School Receives a $25K Fully Equipped TuneIn To Reading Computer Laboratory

Thu, May 26th 2016, 02:53 PM

The Minister of Education, Science and Technology, the Hon. Jerome K. Fitzgerald accompanied executives from Mission Educate Bahamas and Scotiabank Bahamas to officially open the TuneIn To Reading (TIR) computer lab at the Freeport Primary School in Grand Bahama.

A public-private partnership (PPP) between the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) and Mission Educate Bahamas along with scores of corporate partners has resulted in the expansion of computer labs in public primary school throughout the country.

Minister Fitzgerald is an ardent supporter of the TuneIn To Reading programme and touts the programme to be one of the most effective literacy enhancing tools he has ever seen. “I have seen this in action and the enthusiasm of the children as they use the TIR programme. Students who were way behind grade level for reading have not just caught up, but in some instances, have exceeded their grade level; but most importantly, they have developed a love for reading.”

Scotiabank’s generous donation of $25k provided forty laptops, headsets and other accessories to completely outfit the TIR lab. Mr. Gregory Stuart, Group Head, Corporate and Commercial Banking, Scotiabank Bahamas was present for the lab’s opening. He spoke of Scotia’s commitment to youth development stating, “At Scotiabank, we are committed to helping young people become better-off. Through our global community investment strategy, we are proud to work alongside Mission Educate Bahamas to help students achieve their full academic potential and are delighted to know that the Scotiabank Tune into Reading Lab will help Freeport Primary School to forward the development of new technologies available to its 600 students.”

In 2014, The Minister of Education, Science and Technology endorsed Mission Educate Bahamas’ TIR programme and since then the PPP has grown significantly and to date, corporate sponsors have pledged or given in excess of $193,000 through computer donations or financial contributions.

Brothers Chris and Terry Tsavoussis are the ‘driving force’ behind the implementation of the TIR programme in our public primary schools and have demonstrated their commitment to the children of our country through Mission Educate Bahamas. According to Mr. Chris Tsavoussis, “Mission Educate Bahamas is dedicated to providing the key tools, resources and training needed to empower our country’s students and educators while bringing a renewed sense of hope.”

TuneIn To Reading is an innovative, award winning, scientific teaching resource. Utilizing the science of “melodic learning” TIR helps students of all ages and reading levels improve their reading skills through a revolutionary technique that taps in the brain’s unique ability to process information through music.

The Minister of Education, Science and Technology expressed his gratitude to Mission Educate Bahamas, Scotiabank and all other sponsors for collaborating with the MoEST to provide schools and essentially students with tools to increase literacy competency among primary school students. The MoEST continues to place greater emphasis on literacy and numeracy at the primary school level to ensure that students are given a solid academic foundation.

For more information on The Bahamas Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, visit www.ministryofeducationbahamas.com.

About The Bahamas Ministry of Education, Science and Technology
The Bahamas’ Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) has responsibility for more than 50,000 K-12 students in approximately 170 educational institutions in The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, which are dispersed over 14 districts in the major islands. Our goal is to increase the graduation rate from 50% to 80% by 2030. The MoEST aims to create an educational system that is technologically sound and competitive and that develops the strengths of each child, whether academic or otherwise, towards the maximum contribution that he/she is able to make to the national development of The Bahamas.

By Nikki Bethell

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