Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
Mar 15, 2018 News
Although the Childcare and Protection Agency [CPA] is aiming to establish reading programmes in 70 to 80 percent of maternal clinics, CPA Director, Ms. Ann Greene is optimistic that all maternal clinics will be beneficiaries.
“We started aiming at 70 percent to 80 percent of all maternal clinics, but my staff know when I do something I want 100 percent; we are going to all the maternal clinics,” said Greene.
After launching its ‘Back to Basics’ reading programme in Region Four during the month of February, CPA remains committed to it promise to have the programme established in all the regions of the country. The programme is now established in three regions: Regions Three, Four, and was recently introduced at Upper Demerara – Berbice [Region 10].
Present at the launching were Regional Chairman Mr. Renis Morian; outgoing Mayor of Linden, His Worship Carwyn Holland; Director Greene and senior officers of the Ministry of Social Protection.
During a recent engagement with Religious Organizations for their partnership in addressing social issues, Greene had disclosed that her Agency is going to be increasing its activity in Region 10. The Director had made public recent statistics of abuse – in which Region 10 was leading the list.
The statistics show that the rate of child abuse in that Region is 22.1 percent. This was followed by Region Three with 20.6 percent and Region Four with 17.6 percent.
Holland, during his remarks at the launch of the programme, said he is happy to see it rolled out in the region and thus commended the CPA for the work it is doing. He was nevertheless cognizant of the statistics as it relates to abuse, and is looking forward to working with the agency to correct same. He underscored to parents in attendance the importance of reading, and took the opportunity to share stories of innovative and fun ways he communicates with his children.
Regional Chairman Morian explained further that when it comes to reading and writing, there is also the financial component of literacy, and he encouraged parents to teach their children frugality while they are young.
He said in breaking the cycle of abuse, it is important to involve fathers. He was adamant that the role of the male parent is also crucial in a child’s development and expressed his disappointment with the lack of male parents at the ceremony.
Meanwhile, the Director reiterated the importance of the role of fathers and pressed the health care workers to implement a day in which fathers will visit the clinic with their children.
She said, “I’ve seen it before in other countries; I want it to happen here and when it does, call us [Childcare and Protection Agency], involve us. Let us make it special for the fathers. It is the parents, not just the mothers we’re talking about, we’re talking about both parents.”
The Early Childhood Development Reading Programme is expected to create a love and appreciation for books among toddlers and preschoolers, thereby enabling them to become proficient readers as they grow. The initiative is also aimed at laying the foundation for children to succeed in school throughout their lifetime.
With the programme, parents will be able to read to their children while waiting at health centres, and will also be able to borrow books and return it at a later date.
The programme is a collaboration between the Ministry of Social Protection’s Childcare and Protection Agency, the Ministry of Public Health/Maternal and Child Health Unit and the National Library.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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