Tendai Franklyn-Brown, Staff Reporter

Teachers (from left) Zereen Williams and Kerryann Williamson from St Catherine High School; and Christopher Gunzelle of Meadowbrook High School, at the newspaper in education seminar at The Gleaner's fourth floor training room, 7 North Street, Kingston, on Thursday, April 24. Teachers were encouraged to utilise newspapers to complement the teaching of history, social studies and other subjects. - Andrew Smith/Photography Editor

Newspapers are a significant resource to add variety and creativity in imparting knowledge to Jamaica's schoolchildren.

That's the view of Norma Rochester, The Gleaner's news-paper in education project co-ordinator, as she addressed teachers and other educators at a seminar held recently.

The seminar, titled 'Newspaper in Education', was held at The Gleaner's North Street offices in Kingston.

For several years, The Gleaner has made a number of past editions available to a number of primary and secondary schools to aid in the learning process. These past editions are used by teachers to augment and supplement the students' grasp of current affairs as well as complement the learning of various subjects.

Utilising newspaper adverts and cartoons, she said, could add value to the teaching of social studies, history, English literature and language and other subjects.

Current information

Newspapers, according to Rochester, can provide the most current information and images, which may not be found in some textbooks. This makes the newspaper an ideal text to use when teaching.

Rochester's challenge resonated with many of the seminar participants, among them was Grace Beckett, a teacher at Greater Portmore High School. She said, "There are a lot of interesting articles, which are current and things that we can relate to, so we can be creative. I'm glad for the cartoons, which I looked at more in-depth today and can see how I can apply the exercise to several subjects."

Rochester urged teachers to work more closely with parents to secure the positive educational and attitudinal development of children.

"Teachers are role models, passing skills of learning and attitudes on to children, so if we are dedicated and committed in our approach, we expect them (the children) to be reliable, respectful and responsible," she said.

tendai.franklyn-brown@gleanerjm.com