Reading with comprehension is a vital skill that lays the foundation for a child’s academic success and life-long learning. However, more than simply decoding words, children must fully comprehend what they read to benefit from...
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Declining Literacy Rates in South Africa – A Crisis Unveiled
The alarming revelation of declining literacy rates in South Africa as per the recent PIRLS study paints a distressing picture of the country's educational landscape. The study reports that a staggering 81% of grade 4 learners cannot comprehend what they read,...
South African children face reading crisis
The country is facing a reading crisis with 41% of South Africans owning fewer than 10 books, according to a survey by the Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (Pamsa). But owning books should not be the sole measure of South Africa’s literacy...
The true state of South Africa’s schools
We wanted to build a school. That was the dream we tossed around in our more ambitious moments, drunk on possibility from the small steps we’d taken with our education non-profit. We’d end every planning session by boldly stating: “And then we build a school.” It...
Why is Reading so Important for Children?
Reading allows us to be transported from our own world to another. Between the pages of a book, we can become immersed in the lives of fictional characters and learn about a culture entirely different from our own. We can also learn new words and phrases, experience a...
Ramaphosa: ‘Equip our learners with technical skills to address youth unemployment, grow the economy’
President Cyril Ramaphosa says last year’s improved matric results must encourage the basic education sector to redouble efforts to address the “extremely serious” problem of learner dropout and youth unemployment. Speaking at the 2023 Basic Education Sector Lekgotla,...
Creative ways on how parents can develop critical skills through the power of play
Parents and caregivers are always on the lookout for tools and activities that can help develop the young, curious minds of their children. Many can feel frustrated when they feel they don’t have access to such resources. The good news is that they don’t need...
Illiteracy costs South Africa’s economy R119 billion, report says
The World Literacy Foundation says illiteracy is costing the country’s economy R119.03 billion as about 3 million people struggle to read, write and do basic maths. The nonprofit organisation released the Economic Cost and Social Impact of Illiteracy report on Sunday,...