The funds - totalling J$8.34 million, will support summer literacy intervention camps aimed at improving reading skills in primary school students and reducing vulnerability to crime and violence.

The beneficiary schools are Cockburn Gardens Primary, Calabar Primary, Whitfield Primary, Greenwich All-Age School, Tavares Gardens Primary School, Edward Seaga Primary School, Holy Family Primary School and St. Andrew Primary School located in Kingston. 

During a handover ceremony hosted at the European Union Delegation to Jamaica, the EU presented the cheque to the Creative Language Based Learning (CLBL) Foundation, which will implement the literacy camps in partnership with the Ministry of Education Skills, Youth and Information. 

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Emphasising that the theme for this year’s race was "All Together Against Crime and Violence," with a specific focus on gender-based violence, EU Ambassador Dr Erja Askola noted the growing public support for the initiative over the past three years.

“In 2023, we started with 2,000 participants and raised J$1.2 million for one school. Last year, participation grew to 3,000 people, and we raised J$4.5 million to support three schools. This year, we saw an incredible turnout, with over 4,114 people registering for the race, led by Prime Minister Dr. The Most Honourable Andrew Holness and our race patron, Olympian Shanieka Ricketts,” she said.

“The funds raised will support summer literacy intervention programmes and specialized teacher training conducted by the CLBL, underscoring our shared belief that education is a critical tool for development and violence prevention. The expansion of this initiative is a clear sign of its impact,” Askola added. 

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Dr Kasan Troupe emphasized the importance of collaboration. 

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“The transformation that is required in education cannot be done by the government alone. We need partners. 

“This partnership with the EU will help us to address this gap in literacy. It is the mandate of the Ministry to ensure that no child leaves primary school without reading at their grade level - that’s the new mandate,” said Troupe. 

Executive Director at CLBL, Mandy Melville pointed out the broader implications of literacy interventions.

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“Global research and Jamaica’s own experience point out that when teachers are trained in early identification and evidence-based intervention programmes, 90 per cent of students with reading difficulties can be educated in the regular inclusive classroom,” she explained.

“We simply cannot afford to let our students slip through the cracks, especially with a declining student population. If we don’t act, the repercussions will extend far beyond the classroom. A smaller, less literate workforce will limit economic growth, reduce national productivity, and shrink consumer demand for goods and services. The private sector will feel this impact. Society will also feel it,” said Melville. 

The summer literacy camps will run from July 7 to 18 with 30 teachers and approximately 90 students. Post-assessments will follow to measure impact and guide future interventions.