Next year, eleven year-old Julius will, at long last, be promoted to the 4th grade at Derniere Riviere Primary School in Saint Lucia, a small island in the Eastern Caribbean.  His 85-year old grandmother, with whom he lives, used to keep him home from school sometimes because she could not always afford the required school books, or because she lacked the money for his lunch.  Like many children in his rural remote village, Julius had little support at home, did poorly in the classroom, and did not get along with teachers and other students.   Julius was labeled a "trouble-maker," and had to repeat several grades because he could not read. 

Julius was not alone. Overall, students at his school had performed pretty badly throughout its entire 35-year existence. The school was ranked at or near the bottom on national literacy tests.  Thanks to the Center of Excellence in Teacher Training, which began working with the school two years ago, all of this changed.  In 2006, Derniere Riviere became the top-performing school in Saint Lucia, according to the Common Caribbean Test of Literacy Standards.  The teachers say this dramatic improvement is due to CETT and the innovative teaching methods it taught them. 

But the student's transformations are the most rewarding of all.  "Our school is the place where Julius runs away from home to be," said his teacher, Ms. Edward.  Under Ms. Edward's caring guidance, Julius finally learned to read and was able to advance to the 4th grade.  Ms. Edward was better able to help Julius after CETT trained her to identify reading difficulties and to work with each child’s unique ways of learning.  The books that CETT provided to Julius are the only ones he’s ever had access to on a regular basis.  He proudly checks them out from his classroom library and takes them home to practice his new reading skills.

The classroom libraries were essential to Derniere Riviere School’s transformation.  Without fun books to read, it’s much harder to get children interested in reading.  CETT classroom libraries were made possible by CETT’s private sector partners.  Financial and in-kind support has enabled teachers like Ms. Edward to create a colorful learning environment filled with instructional materials that help children like Julius learn.  These materials really motivate students to read and to learn, and create an excitement about learning that can really change their lives—the children come to value learning, and they stay in school.    

One of the Caribbean CETT’s private sector partners notes, "The CETT has demonstrated that the support we have provided is a wise investment in the future of the Caribbean."  This is especially true when one considers the children, like Julius, who might have been lost without it.