Adelaide Primary School will be outfitted with computers to begin its "Tune Into Reading" (TiR) initiative, compliments of Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) Ltd.
Mission: Educate Bahamas (MEB), the brain child of local businessmen Chris and Terry Tsavousis, introduced TiR to The Bahamas in the fall of 2011. The program is based on the multi-modal method of learning using key elements of singing i.e. pitch, rhythm and rhyme to comprehend, analyze and recall information. This method is referred to as melodic learning. In South Florida, where the program originated, students' average reading gain is 1.4 to two years after only nine to 12 weeks with a frequency of three times a week, 30 minutes a day.
Since its launch in The Bahamas, over 1,200 students in five different public primary schools have experienced the benefits of the program. These schools include Columbus Primary, Sandilands Primary, C.W. Sawyer Primary and Thelma Gibson Primary. At these institutions, teachers have reported marked student success due to TiR.
At Columbus Primary, on average, fourth grade participants gained 1.4-year reading levels. The same group of students gained 1.3 years at Sandilands, 1.4 at C.W. Sawyer and 1.5 at Thelma Gibson. Not only has TiR helped students with reading, it is also associated with increased confidence, overall academic improvement in additional subjects and emerging musical talents among students. Within weeks of being enrolled in the program, 90 percent of at-risk youth progressed out of that category.
"On behalf of Mission: Educate Bahamas, we gratefully accept this donation of $25,000," said Yolanda Pawar-Bain, marketing manager for Mission: Educate Bahamas.
"Fidelity Bank is a well-respected financial institution with a strong track record of investing in local community projects that matter. Moving forward, we expect Adelaide Primary to see the same impressive reading gains among its student body, as experienced in other primary schools currently excelling with 'Tune into Reading'. Thanks to the partnership, vision, and keen commitment demonstrated by Fidelity Bank and its leadership, MEB is now able to extend this revolutionary literacy program to yet another school and its deserving students."
Fidelity Group Chairman Anwer Sunderji conveyed his enthusiasm over the program.
"Fidelity is very excited to give the gift of reading to Adelaide Primary School. In light of the current social climate, Tune into Reading is the early intervention program that at-risk students need to get them on the path to becoming successful, contributing members of our society."
In 2015, Mission: Educate Bahamas plans to extend its reach to the remaining government primary schools in The Bahamas and to add TiR to the national primary school curriculum. It is appealing for support from corporate Bahamas to realize these goals.
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