NALIS’ youth literacy classes for persons between the ages 12 to 15 commenced in October at the Chaguanas, Moruga, Maloney, Mayaro, Point Fortin, Port of Spain, Princes Town, Sangre Grande, St. Helena, and St. James Public Libraries. Classes will run for one academic year.

The NALIS Youth Literacy project was launched in 2008. Since the project implementation, 185 young persons have improved their literacy skills and received certification.

The Adult Tutors Literacy Association (ALTA), specialised to deliver a programme of this nature, has been providing effective literacy instruction to participants. Students for the classes are identified by teachers at various schools in communities. Participants are assessed and assigned to Levels I or II depending on their abilities. In some instances where the feeder schools are primary and not secondary the target age group is persons nine to11years.

In addition to be taught the basic skills of reading and writing all students are introduced to the services offered by the library. They subsequently become registered members and are encouraged to use the library’s HI-LO (High Interest, Low Vocabulary) collection, specifically designed for persons with reading challenges.

Members of the public can also make use of this free collection available at public libraries. Parents or guardians who may have a child not interested in reading or whose reading or writing skills are poor are encouraged to contact the nearest public library for assistance.