In a move to inculcate the love of reading in students from an early age and improve the island’s literacy rate, Courts St Lucia has embarked upon the ultimate reading competition. The OECS Reading competition was launched this week in St Lucia and there it was noted that Courts would be facilitating the local leg of the regional initiative in close collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Culture.

Malcolm Burns, Courts OECS regional director gave the feature address at the launch that was held at the Bay Gardens Inn on October 6. The regional director spoke of undertakings Courts had originated in the past including the Courts Community Care Program and the Big Hearts Program, both of which aimed at giving back to the local community. The Courts Community Care fund placed one million dollars to worthwhile projects and ventures over a four-year period helping out local fishermen and community health, sport and cultural projects while the Big Hearts initiative teamed up with four charitable homes on island giving them extensive makeovers.

Burns said Courts was always looking for fresh ways to give back and the OECS reading competition was another such initiative.

“The competition has been hosted in Dominica for a number of years by the Dominica Broadcasting Station, (DBS) and when our marketing officer there told us about the project and the excitement it created, we knew this was something we wanted to be part of,” said Burns. “Encouraging our children to take part in a healthy competition that builds self esteem and improves reading abilities.”

The regional director expressed pleasure to be working with the ministry of education on the venture. Chief education officer, Augusta Ifill, was also present at the event but the education ministry’s words came from Angela Mariatte, curriculum officer for English language. Mariatte expressed that the ministry of education was also pleased to sponsor the reading competition, as reading was a “fundamental skill to acquire knowledge.” The competition was open to eight and nine year olds from grades two and three and will start at the district level with one representative from each school. Eight educational districts will be part of the competition and the winners from each district will be represented at the local finals. The finals of the reading competition will be held in Dominica in November.

Courts marketing manager, Lorraine Sidonie, said among other criteria, students will be judged on “fluency, proper pronunciation, correct emphasis where needed, effective use of volume and pitch, read at the right rate in a relaxed and confident matter.”

“Courts is known for events like our comedy competition, Just for Laughs and also for sporting events like the OECS netball competition. We wanted to do something in the field of education because we understand the link between youth literacy and a country’s growth and development,” said Sidonie. “Other islands have their eye on the OECS title, St Lucians you’ve got to come good!”

Competition prizes include $500 cash for the runner up, $750 for third place, $1000 for second and $2000 for the winner. The winning school also receives $2000. In addition to prizes from sponsors the sixth, fifth and fourth places at the OECS level will each walk away with $1000, plus a laptop. The third place prize is $2000 and a laptop, second place, $3000 plus a laptop while the first winner gets $5000 and a laptop. The winning school also receives $5000.

The Principal of the Morne Du Don School thanked Courts for taking their sponsorship to the schools.

“Courts has always been in the forefront for pushing activities that are positive,” said Janice Jules. “I’m seeing five thousand dollars that we really need and I know that we have some really ambitious little ones who will walk away with that prize!”