The recent findings of an international study on the reading abilities of 10-year-olds in South Africa have unveiled a disheartening reality. It is not only a matter of deep concern that eight out of 10 kids do not understand what they read but also a timely call for serious and intense interventions from the public and private educational sectors.
The ability to read and comprehend is essential for leading a meaningful life in this technological age, contributing to your immediate circle and propelling the progress of the country as a whole. Moreover, as Africa positions itself as the future economic powerhouse of the world, the urgency to address these challenges becomes even more paramount.
According to the World Economic Forum, Africa is projected to experience remarkable population growth, with over a quarter of the world’s under-fives and more than a third of all children being African by 2050.
While population growth in Asia is declining, Africa’s is booming. By 2030, one in every five people in the world will be African, signifying a demographic shift with profound implications. Consequently, the emphasis on technology, infrastructure, health and education will be instrumental in propelling this rapidly growing market to the forefront. However, education emerges as a critical factor that demands urgent attention.
Recognising the significance of education, South Africa has set 2030 as a milestone year. The 2030 Reading Panel, an annual gathering of leaders convened by former deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, seeks to address the question of what needs to change to ensure all children learn to read by 2030. The panel recommends fundamental reforms in teacher recruitment, training, certification, support and evaluation, as well as educational financing and school resourcing.
While the government must spearhead these reforms, it cannot be expected to tackle the challenge alone. The READ Educational Trust was established in 1979 precisely because South Africa has long struggled with low literacy rates. It operates on the belief that literacy and access to quality education are fundamental in empowering individuals.
The organisation boasts an impressive track record, having positively affected 7.5-million learners, 250,000 teachers and 40,000 schools across the country. READ has played a pivotal role in influencing and reforming the post-apartheid education system, with its methodologies widely adopted by teachers and literacy NGOs. Its flagship programme, Rally to Read, is still going strong after 25 years of making a big difference in remote rural areas. More than R110m has been spent on quality reading material and teacher training since 1998.
While READ has been successful in the past, the rapidly evolving global environment and technological advances necessitate agile adaptation to address present-day literacy needs.
Education reform, enhanced teacher training, adequate resources and private sector interventions can collectively pave the way for a brighter future
Over the past 18 months, READ and its publishing arm, READing Matters, have undergone re-engineering to equip them to respond effectively to current and future challenges. This strategic repositioning centres on a methodology that incorporates the knowledge, skill and competencies that children bring to the classroom, regardless of their economic background; uses the child’s home language as a scaffold in the process of learning an additional language; and develops learning resources that are culturally appropriate and aligned with the above priorities.
READ is a firm advocate of impact measurement, using credible, scientific tools that not only reflect the children’s abilities but also inform the design of literacy interventions.
The recent results of the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study underscore the seriousness of the situation South Africa faces. The study revealed that a staggering 81% of South African children in grade 4 struggle to read with comprehension. This marks a significant deterioration from 76% four years earlier, though it is likely that Covid played a role in eroding a decade of slow progress since 2011.
While South Africa ranked last among the 57 assessed countries, it is important to note that very few low- and middle-income countries participated in the study. The survey benchmarked us against the best-resourced education systems in the world and its message — that South Africa must strive for better outcomes — cannot be ignored. This is the generation that must shape the promising future of Africa in a competitive world.
The challenges faced by READ, other private literacy organisations and the government are daunting. However, they are not insurmountable. The appropriate response should not be one of despair, but rather a resolute call to action for the government and the private sector to improve the life opportunities of South Africa’s children.
Education reform, enhanced teacher training, adequate resources and private sector interventions can collectively pave the way for a brighter future. Rally to Read is a shining example of such an approach. By prioritising literacy and education, South Africa can unlock the potential of its children, preparing them to thrive in the changing world and contributing to the nation’s overall progress.
* Mabaso is the CEO of READ
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