The Ministry of Education has announced the implementation of a programme to help primary school students improve their literacy and numeracy skills in light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Starfall Education Programme has a comprehensive curriculum offering a wide range of educational content, including phonics, reading, language arts, mathematics, and more,” the ministry said.
“It also emphasizes a phonics-based approach to reading, which is considered effective in helping children develop strong reading and language skills.”
The Starfall application caters to various age groups, from pre-primary to early primary, and is known for its interactive and engaging learning activities, which are important in making the learning process enjoyable for young learners.
“Its inclusion of games helps to reinforce concepts and keep children motivated to learn too.”
The ministry said that the app’s user interface is child-friendly, making it easy for young children to navigate and use the platform independently.
It is also accessible on various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers, allowing for flexible learning options.
The Starfall initiative was born of the COVID-19 Response Project funded by the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the Caribbean Development Bank.
The project aims to promote the continuity of teaching and learning and the recovery of learning through online or face-to-face interactions.
“The Ministry of Education and National Reconciliation urges teachers and parents to work along with their students to make full use of the programme and help improve students’ performance overall,” the ministry said.
“Parents are advised to check with their children’s class teacher to find out more about using Starfall.”
This is a big step to improve literacy fluency in SVG