Books valued at $250,000 have been donated by The LearningHub Group (formerly GoGSAT) to support Primary Exit Profile (PEP) students across Jamaica as part of a collaborative initiative to strengthen literacy and ensure continuity in learning, following the impact of Hurricane Melissa.
The donation was formally presented during a PEP Books Handover Ceremony, held on Tuesday (March 17) at the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) on Hope Road in Kingston, facilitated by the National Education Trust (NET).
Speaking during the ceremony, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Marlon Morgan, emphasised the importance of literacy as the foundation of education.
“At the Ministry of Education… we place a high premium on reading. We place a high premium on literacy, because we know that reading maketh a man… literacy is the building block, the very foundation of education,” he said.
Senator Morgan encouraged students to actively cultivate reading habits, noting that literacy proficiency will underpin their future academic and personal development.
“Seek to intentionally and actively carve out a space for reading… that has to be mainstreamed across Jamaica,” the Parliamentary Secretary added.
Senator Morgan also commended the role of private-sector partners in supporting the education system, particularly in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which significantly affected several schools across the island.
“The private sector of Jamaica is an indispensable partner. It is important that you also are mindful of your corporate social responsibility, and adding value to the lives of others,” he said.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The LearningHub Group, Dr. Shalette Ashman, explained that the initiative was a direct response to the Ministry’s call for support following the storm.
“In that moment, I made a decision… [that] we would not just sit back… [rather] we would respond,” she said.
Dr. Ashman noted that, beyond the initial donation, the organisation has launched a national book drive to encourage wider public participation.
“We asked the public to purchase three books for donation, and for every three books donated, LearningHub would add one additional book of equal or greater value,” she explained.
The CEO added that the initiative has evolved into a national movement, with individuals and families contributing to the rebuilding of education.
“People showed up, individuals bought books and families contributed. They believed in what The LearningHub was trying to do,” Dr. Ashman stated.
In addition to physical books, schools, particularly those in western Jamaica, will benefit from access to a digital library comprising more than 3,000 curriculum aligned, interactive digital titles.
Executive Director of NET, Latoya Harris-Ghartey, described the initiative as transformative, particularly in bridging traditional and digital learning methods.
“What LearningHub is doing… is providing equipment and resources that meet the children where they are… in a digital age,” she said.
Mrs. Harris Ghartey emphasised that the donation extends beyond textbooks, representing “continuity in the face of challenges, stability where there has been uncertainty, and opportunity where it is most needed”.
Meanwhile, PSOJ Executive Director, Sacha Vaccianna-Riley, highlighted the importance of partnerships in advancing national development.
“When we invest in learning, we’re not simply supporting schools; we’re, in fact, building the future capacity of Jamaica’s economy,” she said.
The initiative forms part of the National Education Trust’s ongoing efforts to mobilise support for the education sector through strategic partnerships, ensuring that students are equipped with the tools they need to succeed.
