South Africa, a country facing a literacy crisis, is taking steps to address the issue and provide support for struggling students. The importance of learning to read and write at an early age is crucial for a child’s academic and personal success. Without these fundamental skills, children are unable to absorb and communicate important information, hindering their learning process and diminishing their confidence.
According to a 2023 Reading Panel Background Report by Nic Spaull, “Children who do not ‘learn to read’ in Grade 1 and 2 will not ‘read to learn’ in Grades 2 onwards.” This is a familiar reality in South African government schools, where students without the ability to read or write often sit at the back of their classes, feeling disillusioned with the learning process. Many of these children either drop out or continue to progress through the school system without merit, as the state does not allow them to fail for a second consecutive year.
This broken system leaves these neglected students in a constant state of catch-up, both in the classroom and in life. According to a report by James Stent, “most children leave grade one without knowing the alphabet, while 82% of grade 4 children cannot read for meaning.” This begs the question, how can South Africa fix its literacy crisis?
It is clear that a nationwide strategy is urgently needed to address this issue, and there is cause for cautious optimism as province-wide reading strategies are currently underway. However, grassroots organizations and charities are also playing a vital role in providing support services to schools that may not be reached by these larger initiatives.
One such organization is SOS Africa, which has been working to address the literacy crisis in South Africa since 2017. Their Western Cape Education Centres have been facilitating the Wordworks Reading Programme each morning to children in ‘literacy catch-up mode.’ This program, run in partnership with Grade 1-3 teachers from government schools, helps identify the students most in need of reading and writing support before their educational progress is severely impacted. These students then attend daily Wordworks workshops, which supplement their regular school timetable.
Eden McDonald, who has over 5 years of experience in facilitating the Wordworks Reading Programme at Somerset West Methodist Primary School, shares her success story: “There were more than 100 students enrolled on our reading programme this year, the majority of whom could not identify letters or sounds. Many of these children were afraid to come to school, embarrassed that they could not participate in class.”
“By the end of this year, over 50% of these children will have graduated from the programme, now able to read with confidence fully restored. It is also important not to rush the process; the remaining learners are expected to graduate early next year. Some of our children had no writing or fine motor abilities, unable to comprehend how letters were formed or sounded. Thanks to the Wordworks Programme, they have now mastered these skills and are able to read and write! It is impossible to express how proud I am of all my learners; they were so eager to learn and now there is no stopping them!”
Since its launch at Somerset West Methodist Primary School, the Wordworks Reading Programme has helped over 700 students graduate. These programs not only benefit the students but also provide much-needed respite for overwhelmed teachers. Ms E Jansen, the HOD of Methodist Primary School, shares her experience: “As a teacher, I can see the difference in the confidence of my learners, their reading speed, comprehension, and enjoyment for reading. Learners aren’t scared to read anymore; it’s wonderful to witness.”
Mrs Fannie, a teacher at Methodist Primary School, also expresses her gratitude for the impact of the program: “SOS Africa are miracle workers! My students have gained a love for reading and writing and are no longer shy to grab books and read independently. This has also impacted on their self-esteem and behavior; we can really see the difference in their body language and participation in class. Thank you, SOS!”
As South Africa continues to work towards addressing its literacy crisis, organizations like SOS Africa are making a significant impact on the lives of struggling students. Through their dedicated efforts and partnerships with schools, they are providing vital support and resources to help these children learn to read and write, giving them the tools they need to succeed in both their education and future endeavors.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.