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Contact:
Julita Peter
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 – The Ciceron Combined School has begun to
develop a literacy programme, which is being explored by Grade Four teacher Anne
Marie Papin. Ms. Papin has been successful in getting a donation of two
computers from the Taiwanese Embassy in Saint Lucia, that will assist in the
implementation of the programme
That programme, according to Papin, will help to remedy the reading and writing
problem among the Grade Four’s.
“Over the past four years of teaching Grade Four, I have realized that students
have a problem with reading and writing. In researching, I came across this
writing strategy which is being used by many schools around the world. There is
evidence from data collected that it is a very successful approach to reading
and writing. I have tried some aspects of the programme and have seen
improvement in the first term,” Papin said.
Minister for Commerce Hon. Tessa Mangal, who was the government representative
at the brief presentation ceremony, called on the private sector to join the
efforts of the Taiwanese Embassy in supporting education initiatives.
“They are not St. Lucians, they are only here as partners with us yet they have
set the pace by donating these computers to the school. We call on the
commercial sector to assist the school with the other items
on the wish list,” Senator Mangal said.
Education continues to be a priority area for the Taiwanese Embassy, whose
resources according to Ambassador Chou, are limited.
“There are so many schools in Saint Lucia, so why do we want to provide
assistance to the Ciceron School? It is because this school meets the criteria
of our Embassy. Firstly, there must be an urgent need and secondly, a good
management record,” Ambassador Chou said.
The Taiwanese Embassy has also provided assistance to the Women’s Support Centre
with the donation of a desk-top computer. The computer was presented to Health
Minister Honourable Dr. Keith Mondesir and Manager of the Centre, Marcia
Symphorian.
Symphorian thanked Ambassador Chou for responding favourably to the centre’s
request. She highlighted the importance of the centre to abused women and girls
and encouraged people requiring the services of the centre to call the crises
hotline.
“It is a 24-hour hotline, she said. You can get it any time of the day, and
it is a toll free number. You just have to dial 202 and there will always be
somebody to answer.”
Ambassador Chou offered to give the management of the Women’s Support Centre the
opportunity to visit Taiwan some day, to piggy back on the vast experience of
its counterpart organization.
“The Services provided by the Centre are crises intervention and short -term
accommodation in a safe
and supportive environment, and this is why the embassy wants to demonstrate our
support by donating
the computer,” he said.
The Women’s Support Centre is a government entity, established in September
2001.
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