At a time when reading proficiency remains a national concern, a quiet but pointed intervention unfolded in several classrooms this week: books written by Bahamians, placed directly into the hands of young readers.
The initiative, led by Independence Secretariat Chairman HE Leslia Miller-Brice as part of the nation’s ongoing 52nd Independence observance, saw curated sets of works from 13 local authors distributed to schools during 242 Day activities. Typically marked by national colours and cultural celebration, the focus in these classrooms was literacy – and ownership of story.
Book collections were delivered to Sadie Curtis, Cleveland Eneas, Woodcock, and Columbus primary schools in New Providence, as well as Old Bight Primary School in Cat Island and LN Coakley High School in Exuma. The inclusion of campuses beyond the capital underscored an effort to ensure students across the archipelago were represented in the outreach.
The selected titles span themes of faith, patience, adventure, identity and modern Bahamian history. Among the featured writers is Neko Meicholas, husband of the late Bahamian literary icon Patricia Glinton-Meicholas, whose An Evening in Guanima formed part of high school curricula for decades and remains one of the country’s most widely recognized works of literature.
Education stakeholders have repeatedly stressed that literacy outcomes are strengthened when children encounter texts that reflect their language, environment and lived realities. Research internationally supports the view that culturally relevant material improves engagement and comprehension, particularly at the primary level.
Viewed through that lens, the distribution of Bahamian-authored books moves beyond ceremonial gesture. It positions authorship as part of national development – reinforcing to students that their stories, dialect and cultural references have value in print.
As the country moves toward its 53rd anniversary of Independence this July, the message emerging from the week’s activities is clear – national pride is sustained not only through flags and festivals, but through literacy, authorship and the preservation of story.
Source: Felicity Darville
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