A pilot programme to support students whose first language is not English will be launched in January next year at Adrian T Hazell Primary School in South Hill.
It aims to help young people from the Dominican Republic, China, Pakistan and other countries to achieve better examination results and master the language before getting to high school.
The Kelly Family Foundation has donated US$2,000 for the launch of the project and plans to match the funding for each of the five other government primary schools in Anguilla, if successful.
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Jeison Bryan, the government’s ministerial assistant for youth, joined principal Tricia Richardson at the school on 21 November to thank the charity for its assistance.
Bryan explained in a government press conference on 24 November, that Adrian T Hazell Primary School was chosen for the pilot because it has the most pupils using English as a second language.
“This will help to improve the youth ESL students, language proficiency development, and also help to improve the performance ratio for the primary schools,” he said.
In a press release on 21 November, the government thanked the Kelly Family Foundation for its commitment to supporting educational development in Anguilla.
It also commended principal Tricia Richardson and education officer Tracelyn Hamilton for their “strong advocacy and leadership in bringing this pilot program to fruition”.
“This partnership represents a meaningful investment in the future of students and strengthens the foundation for greater academic success across the island’s primary schools,” it said.
