The Tobago Institute of Literacy Greater Literacy for a Higher Standard of Living
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s you hold this magazine in your hands, it’s easy to take your literacy for granted. But according to Mrs. Susana Sandiford, Executive Officer of the Tobago Institute of Literacy, a surprising number of adults in Trinidad and Tobago are unable to read at a functional level. “There are many people who cannot use an ATM. They take menial jobs, where they don’t have to read.” This, as you can imagine, has a significant impact on their ability to earn an income, provide for their families, and contribute to the development of our society. The Tobago Institute of Literacy was founded over 20 years ago by Mrs. Zena Puddy. Its aim is to provide residents of Tobago with remedial tutoring to elevate their literacy levels, thus boosting selfesteem and productivity. They also occasionally offer other programmes, such as positive parenting, and have, in the past, published booklets of creative writing by their clients. This non-governmental organisation is run by a board of volunteers, chaired by Mr. John Solomon, and funded primarily by the Tobago House of Assembly, as well as local and international charitable agencies such as the JB Fernandes Memorial Trust Fund, United Way, and Unicomer Limited, the parent company of Courts. Tutors are meticulously trained for five weeks, to implement a new curriculum designed by The University of the West Indies. Following training, tutors give back one school year of practical application before they are awarded their certificate as literacy tutors. “The training has worked well,” says Mrs. Sandiford. “It’s the standard by which we work now.”
“On a yearly basis, we see about 100 students,” she says. “And we have expanded to the Scarborough Prison. We’re very much involved in restorative justice.” They also offer their services to the Tobago Rehabilitation and Empowerment Centre, for drug addicts. The problem of illiteracy is so pervasive that the Institute has lowered its minimum age limit from 16 to 13, to allow them to penetrate the schools. “We aren’t in all of them, but we have the blessing of the Division of Education, and we are assisting the secondary school students who have issues.” The programme is divided into three levels: pre-basic, basic, and intermediate. Prebasic consists of becoming familiar with the alphabet and the sounds that specific letter combinations make. They also tackle basic numeracy and communication issues. They then move up to simple words, and simple sentences. Students can be brought up to the point where they can take their school-leaving exam. This is not to say that students are treated like overgrown primary schoolchildren, using books designed for toddlers. Every effort is made to help students retain their dignity, through the use of age-appropriate and even lifestyle-appropriate material. “We work at the student’s level, within their domain. If a man is a carpenter, we teach him words he will need for carpentry.” Graduations usually, take place with great pomp and ceremony as for many of their students, this may be the only certificate they will earn in their lives. “They really work hard.”
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Tutors and administrators come from all professions and lifestyles. Ms. Sandiford founded the Scarborough Montessori Centre, also known as Murray House, but has since retired. They are united in their passion for sharing, and a desire to elevate fellow Tobagonians so they may enjoy fuller, more productive lives. For 2016 – 2019, they have introduced a new programme entitled Reading Enhancement and Development (REaD). Its main goal is to build community capacity by turning out literate and ultimately well-trained persons with adequate access to globally competitive knowledge and skills. It is also geared to support household, business and institutional capacity building for greater economic efficiency, human well-being, justice and equality. The Tobago Institute of Literacy sees itself as a very people-centred institution, and despite the impact they have on the lives of so many, Mrs. Sandiford calls it the “bestkept secret in Tobago.” In order to spread the word, and deepen their reach, they are urging corporate sponsors and individual volunteers to step up and support them. “We need funding, we need books. We need people to come in and serve as tutors. We can train you. We just need your knowledge and your time. Our doors are open. We are here for you.”
Old Works Building #13 Carrington Street, Scarborough, Tobago Tel: (868) 660-7553/ 660-7747 www.tobagoliteracy.org