There are many children who struggle with reading in South Africa.
The Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) shows that 81% of Grade 4 pupils are unable to read for meaning in any language.
Basic literacy needs to be tackled at foundation level. However, there are many thousands of pupils already well into the education system with little ability to read or write even at Grade 12 level with their matric exams looming.
To mark International Literacy Day on Sunday, September 8, the Domino Foundation partnered with Umhlanga-based law firm, Cox Yeats, to join the teachers at Amaoti 3 Secondary School, in Brookdale, Phoenix.
Their aim was to help pupils struggling with English to reach a place where they are equipped to deal with the academic challenges ahead. The result is that a literacy champion has been employed to work at the school.
Literacy champion, Dudu Dladla has been trained in the Neema Gateway into Reading programme and is now assessing and teaching pupils with literacy challenges in Grades 8 to 11. Ms Dladla is working together with Cox Yeats Ambassador, Nobuhle Ndlovu, a teacher working at Amaoti 3 Secondary School.
“We are pleased to be involved with this initiative to see the chains of illiteracy broken and see young people released into futures where there is real hope,” said Ms Dladla.
“From the feedback we got from learners getting to grips with the basic building blocks of English, these young people have felt such frustration at not being able to understand and communicate in English. The stigma of constantly obtaining low grades in their work has eroded their confidence. Already we are seeing breakthroughs and their academic obstacles are looking promising.”
She said pupils felt such frustration at not being able to understand and communicate in English. The classes at school are big and pupils are often afraid to speak the language in case they are laughed at, she said. Her classes are small and pupils can grow in confidence and ability, Ms Dlada said.
