Recently, the Sandals Foundation partnered with the Jamaica Library Service (St. James) to host the National Reading Competition regional finals at the St. James Parish Library where over 20 participants between the ages of six and 25 vied for the title of regional champion.
The annual competition welcomes persons from six to 99 years to enter and enjoy the benefits of reading which will in turn facilitate the exposure to highly rated Caribbean-based literature and foster improved literacy for not only children but adults as well.
Contestants were required to participate in writing exercises, complete crossword puzzles as well as unscramble words. The competition which began in early March saw approximately 334 persons competing. From this, the five parish champions for each age category were drawn.
As the Sandals Foundation is committed boosting literacy across the Caribbean, the decision to offer support for this programme- which challenged the participants’ critical thinking, comprehension as well as oral and writing abilities- was made unhesitatingly.
