“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
The teachers and students of Merebank Secondary School took these wise words of Dr Seuss literally, when they started the Chamber of Stories Book Club at the school in September and in no time every pupil in the school had joined the club.
The purpose of the book club is to teach and learn reading while enforcing the principles of Ubuntu “I am because we are”, said teacher and book club co-ordinator Vaneshree Julie Moodley.
In this way everyone, including pupils, can work together sharing their knowledge and using their strengths to uplift and support others, she added.
“The Chamber of Stories Book Club aims to provide learners with enrichment through literature. Its goal is to improve learners’ cognitive ability to read for meaning and understanding in an environment that is less judgmental and more caring and compassionate towards their abilities,” said Ms Moodley.
“Its aim is to identify problematic learners and assist by encouraging reading for meaning and understanding skills through one-on-one interaction.”
The idea for the book club was introduced by the KZN Department of Education, said Ms Moodley. Once the idea was passed to Merebank Secondary School Department of Languages, she said, they took it and ran with it.
“The reason for the book club being launched by Merebank Secondary School amongst other schools in the KZN area is because of the poor academic performance that we have seen with learners recently,” said Ms Moodley.
“Based on the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS), in 2021, 80% of Grade 4 learners in South Africa are unable to read for meaning in any language.
“Another study conducted by UNICEF indicates that during the pandemic 75% of the school year was lost and almost 500 000 learners dropped out of school. Looking at the severity of the matter and how reading for meaning affects overall school performance, we felt it was imperative to create this reading club to fill the gaps that was lost and create a love for reading that will support learners academically as well.”
Ms Moodley said every pupil at the school has joined the book club and showed great enthusiasm for events held by the book club. However, due to the lack of resources the book club can only accommodate around 60 learners within a two-week period, which they hope to change in future through donations.
Two pupils at the school – Amelia Shao, 16, in Grade 11 and Sihle Biyase, 14, in Grade 9 – submitted short stories at the recent Durban Book Fair. Amelia said literature is a gateway to theories, knowledge, uncapped adventures and unexplored realms.
“Reading encourages readers to want to learn and discover more as well as improves their reading, writing and vocabulary skills. It teaches us how to be empathetic, emotional, adventurous and vulnerable to the multiple genres that literature has to offer to the young mind of every generation,” she said.
“I write because writing has always served as a noble abode for imaginary characters and an astounding escape from the stresses of our reality. Writing allowed me to express and evoke emotions and moments that a picture could not. I encourage everyone to write. There are endless treasures that your mind can unlock with a pen.”
Sihle said without literature life would be boring. It’s a magical space at your fingertips that you can use to escape from reality, he added.
“Reading improves your vocabulary, writing skill and understanding for words. I like writing because I get to put in words the amazing things I see in my head. The most wonderful part is when others are reading my work, I wonder if they are seeing it exactly the way I did,” said Sihle.
Ms Moodley said before starting up the book club, children preferred to watch movies over reading. However, after the launch of the Chamber of Stories Book Club, a new life for reading has begun and learners are excited about it, she said.
“It is important for learners to read – on an academic level, it will improve their overall ability to understand subject content. It has been observed that learners who enjoy reading and understand what they read perform better academically. That should be every student’s goal,” said Ms Moodley.
“Readers are leaders and will get to let their imagination run wild. Through reading students can escape from the troubles and stresses of life by diving into a pool of words and swimming through their imagination. It is a way to create a world of your own through imagination. Through reading, students can become better writers and better speakers.”
