Anse Aux Pins pupils gifted with reading centre on Children’s Day |01 June 2019

A group of children browsing through the books in the newly opened reading centre

P1 to P3 pupils of Anse Aux Pins primary school experiencing reading difficulties now have a more conducive centre customised to meet their needs where they can learn to read.

The new reading centre - classrooms which have been converted, refurbished, decorated and equipped with reading aids and books – was officially opened and handed over to the school management yesterday morning to coincide with Children’s Day.

The Minister for Education and Human Resource Development, Jeanne Simeon, and the sponsor of the project, the managing director of Future Holdings Chamindika Jude, cut the ribbon to open the centre.

This was in the presence of Vice-President Vincent Meriton, head teacher Kathleen Samson, director for early childhood and primary education Cyril Pillay, pupils, parents, among other guests.

Ms Samson explained that the project came about as a follow up to the initiative of the Ministry of Education's reading sessions conducted last year during the holidays when Anse Aux Pins school sought sponsorship for a reading centre project.

The school presented its project in a district team meeting and a visit was organised by the district administrator, Ambassador Conrad Mederic, a resident of the Anse Aux Pins district, and the chairperson of the East Mahé Regional Council, Marie-Claude Morel.

 Following their visit, Ambassador Mederic presented the project in one of his meetings with local government officials and took the responsibility to seek sponsorship.

'The Future Holdings', a private company based in Sri Lanka with branches in Seychelles, agreed to sponsor the books and refurbishment of the reading centre which its managing director, Mr Samaraweera, opened yesterday.

Expressing her heartfelt appreciation on behalf of the school and the pupils, Ms Samson assured the sponsor that the centre will be put to good use.

She said more books and reading aids will be delivered during the coming weeks.

Following the opening of the centre, VP Meriton, Minister Simeon an Mr Samaraweera planted trees in the school grounds next to the centre.