Retired educator and literacy advocate Jeff Broomes has been praised by education leaders for his latest book, Fundamentals of Learning Literacy and Numeracy for Students 7-77, launched Wednesday evening at the National Library Service.
Designed to improve literacy and numeracy skills for learners of all ages, the book was lauded as a comprehensive resource that integrates Barbadian culture and context and that should be introduced in both primary and secondary schools.
General Secretary of the Barbados Union of Teachers (BUT) Herbert Gittens underscored the value of the book’s homegrown approach, which he said sets it apart from foreign textbooks.
“This book can be utilised by both at the primary and the secondary level, as it covers many of the basic and relevant topics in literacy and numeracy,” he said.
He commended Broomes’ efforts to root the content in Barbadian experience: “I really applaud him for that since the articles – most of the subject matter – are of local, or, let’s say Barbadian, origin, dealing with the environment, and local experiences.”
Gittens suggested that the book, which addresses critical gaps in mathematics education, should be integrated into the national curriculum as early as the 2025–26 academic year.
“In mathematics, which as you know continues to be a subject of concern, areas such as basic number operations, the four rules, understanding numbers, value and place value, odd and even numbers… are all included with explanations and exercises,” he noted.
National Library Service director Jennifer Yarde highlighted the book’s relevance in addressing reading challenges.
“Students across our nation are struggling with literacy skills,” she said, describing the book as a timely intervention in a nation where literacy levels are under increasing scrutiny.
She also praised its inclusivity: “I am also heartened that Mr Broomes has made it clear that adults can also use the book as they too experience literacy challenges, especially in this digital age.”
Reflecting on his long career as a teacher and principal, Broomes, who has broadcast several homework aid programmes on radio and television for decades, said the inspiration for Fundamentals of Learning Literacy and Numeracy came during the COVID-19 lockdown.
His Radio School programme on Voice of Barbados provided lessons in literacy and numeracy to students at home. The experience led Broomes to create a resource that caters to learners of all ages.
“I had more adults calling me about Radio School than children,” he said. “They said they were learning so much, and that’s why this book isn’t limited just to students.”
During the launch, Dr Sylvia Henry, head of the National Task Force on Literacy Education, described Broomes’ work as a beacon of hope in an era filled with distractions for young learners.
“At a time when there are so many distractions to take young persons in particular away from learning and from literacy development, Jeff has been unswerving in his efforts to excite students about reading and numeracy and learning in general,” she said.
Henry described Broomes as a “literary philanthropist” for his “contributions to literacy, to learning, and to helping students gain access to education out of the generosity and kindness of your heart”.
She said: “I’ve never seen Mr Broomes turn away a student who cannot purchase a book…. Rather, I’ve seen Mr Broomes donate multiple books to children and to parents and teachers. I’ve seen Mr Broomes volunteer his time at multiple locations in one day to provide free tutoring to students wherever they are.”
In addition to histories of West Indies cricket and education, Broomes has penned memoirs The Road of the Hills and St Lucy to Daryll Jordan: The Inspiring Journey.
His biography, The Jeff Broomes Journey: From the Pond through the Presidency of Principalship, co-written with Tyson Herbert, details his rise from rural beginnings to a prominent career as an outspoken principal, educator and commentator on leadership and education.
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