Service Delivery
Topic: Tackling SAs illiteracy crisis starts at birth_* • Intervention from birth and at an ECD level is critical. • Children need access to books in mother tongue African languages, enabling them to engage with diverse material that they can relate to and identify with. *STATS:* • 3 in 5 five homes don’t have access to a single book & 65% of homes with children under 10 don’t have a single picture book • Many children finish Gr1 not knowing all the letters of the alphabet • By 2026 approximately 69% of 10-year-olds will be unable to read for meaning.
The 2023 National Reading Barometer gives a grim prognosis for literacy and reading skills in South Africa (SA), revealing that nearly three in five homes don’t have access to a single fiction or non-fiction book and 65 percent of homes with children under age 10 do not possess a single picture book. Many learners leave Grade One without knowing all the letters of the alphabet and it is predicted that by 2026 approximately 69% of 10-year-olds will be unable to read for meaning.
“The academic, social and emotional impact of poor literacy skills cannot be underestimated – resulting in frustration, low self-esteem, declining academic results, and ultimately, poor employment prospects,” says Seago Maapola, educational psychologist.
Yet, there is some good news! According to the barometer, many South Africans want to read. If only books were more accessible and there were enough texts available in African languages, enabling children to engage with diverse material that they can relate to and identify with.
According to educational experts, pre-literacy skills should be introduced from as early as birth.
“Learning starts at home and is then supported at an Early Childhood Development (ECD) level. It’s imperative for a child to listen to stories in their mother tongue to understand and attach meaning to what has been read to them. Reading helps develop vocabulary, reasoning, critical thinking, and creates a love for reading which improves educational outcomes and economic opportunities later in life,” says Maapola.
She adds that it is critical that all children are able to easily access quality reading material and ideally this should be in their mother tongue, but unfortunately this remains out of reach for many children.
“Give children access to books, read to them, and read with them. We must cultivate a love of reading in our homes, on our playgrounds, and in our classrooms. Literacy unlocks the world of potential for children and the magic of discovery,” Maapola concludes.
Guest: Seago Maapola, Educational psychologist
