GSAT students grateful for free textbooks

Sixth grade students at the Braeton Primary School in St Catherine were all smiles last Friday as they were presented with a full complement of the recommended textbooks to prepare for their Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) exams, courtesy of the Portmore Lions Club and IBEX Global.

The presentation coincided with International Literacy Day, observed on September 8.

"They were happy because a number of them came out on the first day not having their materials. And because this is a grade six class that is preparing for GSAT next March, they were happy. Even parents responded to say that they were very glad because it took a burden off them," acting principal Curline Haughton said.

The club and company handed over a total of 42 textbooks covering the core GSAT areas, language arts, communications task, mathematics and science.

President of the Portmore Lions Club, Camille Buckham-Prince, and the club's community and environment committee chairman, Patrick Porter, said it brought the club great joy to help the students.

About giving back

"As a service club, we seek out where the needs are and try to help as best as we can. A member of our club is a member of staff at that school, hence the need was brought to our attention and we decided that we would partner with IBEX to assist the students," Porter explained.

Anna Edwards, employee engagement programme manager at IBEX, said the company was glad to be part of the initiative.

"We are all about giving back. We operate within the Portmore space so it is important to us that whatever outreach we engage in, that it is something that is going to help the community from which we operate. So when the Lions Club reached out to us with the initiative, we were excited to get on board with them," she said.

Porter explained that the club had 'adopted' the class since the students were in fourth grade, and have been undertaking annual initiatives since then.

He said in 2015, they provided the class with a library, painted the classroom, and supplied them with fans and other school material.

Then in 2015, the Lions Club partnered with Flow to supply the students with school bags and other stationery.

Next, Porter said the club is seeking sponsorship to assist with a breakfast programme for the students.