The Ministry of Education yesterday launched its Enhanced Learning Programme. The Programme offers students who would like to enhance their performance standard in Math and Reading, the opportunity to attend classes on Saturdays, where they will receive instruction by highly trained professionals. Education Minister Hon. Claris Charles, has vowed to increase performance standards among students especially in Reading and Mathematics. The Hon. Minister said that the Ministry has plans to increase universal access to secondary education by 2006. This target has both an economic and a social purpose. Firstly, more secondary graduates are needed to enable Grenada to sustain and develop a knowledge economy, which is able to compete globally. Secondly, fair access for those from disadvantaged backgrounds to all forms of education is seen as an essential part of addressing poverty and social exclusion. The programme is designed to help every child in need of assistance in his or her learning, to function at his/her maximum potential. The programme targets a variety of students: The 13 year olds who would have entered Secondary School in September 2004. Other Forms 1 and 2 students who are having problems with their reading and Mathematics. Students in forms 1, 2, and 3 who need help with concepts they were not able to master during the school year in other core areas such as Social Sciences. Other students who have a desire to upgrade their present performance. The programmes focus on enriching and enhancing students’ ability in Reading and Mathematics and offers practical down-to-earth support for learning both Mathematics and Reading through its -Distinctive resources many of which take a variety of forms such as CD-ROMs, programmed instruction, text books, etc -Access to teachers with unique ability to teach reading and Mathematics -Diagnostic testing/assessment process to ascertain students functional levels -Teacher guidance text books and student workbook which expose teachers and students to a wide range of ideas through lesson plans, games, puzzles, extra exercises and activities, mental tests, practice book answers, etc. -Professional development opportunities for teachers -Peer learning -Programme of sharing, discussing, collaborating, enquiring and analyzing -Stimulating environment that is free from threat and competition The Enhanced Learning Programme will initially focus on Mathematics and Reading and will be implemented using a number of procedures to ensure both quality and output. Success Component The programme is designed to take students from where they are and to build on their competences to master concepts at a variety of levels until they can function at their cognitive age level. This process will allow students to experience a number of successes in a slow and progressive manner thereby building confidence while at the same time recognizing the relationship between effort and outcome. Record Keeping Component The programme will utilize and promote the integration of good practice initiative one of which is student progress files. This involves an approach in which the skills for a particular mathematical/reading level are identified and targeted for development in each student. As a student masters each particular skill it is rated as fair, good or excellent. Instructional component The programme will promote the integration of both inclusive and flexible learning approaches. These would include individualized instruction, peer teaching, small group activities and other student-centered strategies. Programme Implementation The programme will be administered in 19 centers throughout Grenada and Carriacou from Saturday May 7th, 2005 through June 2005. A total of 90 facilitators (4 to 5 per Centre) will be identified in addition to technical and administrative staff from the Ministry of Education. Initially a total of 2000 students from the first and second Forms in Secondary Schools will be catered for in the initial enhanced learning programme. Source: Ministry of Education