Only Barbados has a higher literacy rate than Guyana

Dear Editor,

This is by no means an attempt to discredit the achievement of Ms Shonnet Candacy Fraser, the second-best graduating student, at the University of Guyana 42nd Convocation exercise, held recently.

However, in delivering the valedictory speech Ms Fraser made a statement that could be considered shocking coming from not only someone who is considered one of the highest achievers but also a teacher who is going back to our classrooms to share and impart knowledge. She related that she had a dream that Guyana would be restored to its former glory as having the highest literacy rate in the Caribbean.

According to the United Nations Human Development Index 2007/2008 Report, only Barbados (99.7%) has a higher literacy rate than Guyana (99.0%) when looking at Caribbean counties. And the UN HDI cautioned that the rate quoted for Barbados should be interpreted with caution since it is based on outdated census and survey information.

Therefore my question to Mr Fraser is: What former glory is she referring to?

Yours faithfully,
Ronald Harsawack

Editor’s note

The Ministry of Education and more than one Minister of Education have acknowledged that the levels of illiteracy in this country are a serious cause for concern. While they have not made direct reference to the UN literacy figure for Guyana, by implication they recognize that it bears no relation to the reality.  Earlier this year the ministry launched its ‘Fast Track Initiative Literacy Programme’ on what was described as a “mass scale.” It was targeted at improving literacy in the school system as well as among adults and out-of-school youths.