The Students’ Loan Bureau (SLB) today reinforced its commitment to education and national development through its participation in Read Across Jamaica Day 2026, engaging students at the Mountain View and Port Royal Primary Schools in a meaningful literacy-focused activity.
The engagement was led by the Minister of Finance and the Public Service, the Hon. Fayval Williams, who read to students at the Mountain View Primary School; encouraging them to see reading as a critical foundation for academic achievement and lifelong success.
“It opens the eyes of the students to the world through different books, through different medium. If you cannot read, obviously you’re very limited in what you can do. We must encourage reading from as early as possible. I’ve read books that encourages pregnant mothers to read to their child while he/she is still in the womb,” Minister Williams said.
She continued by encouraging parents, guardians and grandparents to foster a love of reading among children.
“The more you can read, the further in life you will go, and we want to encourage reading throughout all of our schools. As a country, we’ve dedicated this day as Read Across Jamaica Day, and we are happy to see so many organisations in the private and public sector participating in this worthwhile activity and I want to thank the Students’ Loan Bureau for its support today. We’re at Mountain View Primary School today and the reception among the children is wonderful,” she added.
The SLB’s participation forms part of its broader mandate to support human capital development through access to education financing, positioning the organisation as a partner in Jamaica’s educational journey—from early childhood learning to tertiary education. As part of the initiative, the Bureau introduced a specially developed SLB-branded book Nia’s BIG Choice, reinforcing its message of supporting students at every stage of their academic pathway.
SLB Executive Director, Nickeisha Walsh, said the Bureau views its involvement as an investment in the nation’s future.
“While our core is financing students at the tertiary level, literacy is the foundation at the primary level for students who want to pursue tertiary education. This initiative is SLB’s commitment to financing and supporting students throughout their educational journey,” Ms. Walsh said.
In addition, the SLB also facilitated a secondary activation at Port Royal Primary School, its adopted institution, where a dedicated team captured content highlighting student participation and the importance of literacy development within communities. The event provided opportunities for student interaction, storytelling with a pre-Teacher’s Day presentation of gifts to the Principal and teaching staff at the school.
Chairman of the SLB, Stephen Gooden, who participated at both the Mountain View and Port Royal Primary Schools, noted that the initiative aligns with the Bureau’s mandate to support access to education and opportunity.
“By starting at the primary level, what it does is help to set the foundation so that the youngsters can progress further through secondary and tertiary education in particular. Teaching concepts at this stage as it relates to needs versus wants and how you save to cover your needs and have access for wants later down are very important concepts as these youngsters grow into adults,” Mr. Gooden said.
Read Across Jamaica Day, observed during Education Week, is designed to promote reading and literacy across the island, helping young Jamaicans to develop an appreciation for books and storytelling.
About the Students’ Loan Bureau
The Students’ Loan Bureau is a Government of Jamaica agency committed to providing access to affordable financing for tertiary education, thereby contributing to national development through human capital investment.
Media Contact
Evon T. Krishna Benjamin
Corporate Communications
Students’ Loan Bureau
Telephone: +1876-280-4995
Email: ebenjamin@slbja.com