Learners from TT Lekalake Primary School in Batharos pose proudly in front of the library that will help them read more. (Images: Musa Sibisi)
Learners and teachers at TT Lekalake Primary School in Batharos now have a mobile library that will help in their educational needs.
Brand South Africa, in partnership with Shout SA and Breadline Africa, handed over the newly built and fully equipped mobile library on 29 January at Batharos in Northern Cape. Members of the community, parents as well as representatives from neighbouring schools attended the event in numbers.
The National Development Plan holds that education is a prerequisite for South Africa’s development, and the community in Batharos encourages learners to be dedicated, studious and focused children in response to this.
LEAST RESOURCED SCHOOL
“This library is not only a facility for the learners of this school,” said Tumisang Rabi, the principal. “It is a resource for the community at large. It is impossible for a community to grow and improve without proper literacy skills.
“This library will instil a love for reading in the smallest of children. It is very important for young children to learn to love reading, as this is a primary skill to ensure success not only in later grades, but also in life in general.”
The 2014 Annual National Assessment results revealed that there was a significant gap between children reading, understanding and interpreting information.
The library, combined with the commitment of learners and teachers, aims to bridge this gap at TT Lekalake – improving the academic results of the school and creating better opportunities for the learners as they progress into adulthood.
Jade Orgill, the project manager at Breadline Africa, articulated the importance of the library.
“This school is a government quintile 1 school, which means that they are the least resourced as per the government’s poverty quintile ranking. The lack of access usually translates into low literacy level such as is the case at TT Lekalake.
“One of the positive measures currently in place is the learner development programme that has been initiated by the governing body, teachers and parents.”
This programme is just one example of the active steps taken by the community of Batharos to improve the state of education in the district.
COMPULSORY READING AT SCHOOL
While the Department of Basic Education had instituted a compulsory reading period for all schools, teachers needed to set small goals for their learners throughout the year, which would contribute to the improvement of the literacy levels in the district, said the circuit manager of John Taoco Gaetsewe District, Mpho Malele.
“Make reading a priority at home,” he said. “Initially the children will read slowly and get frustrated, but it is important to encourage them to persevere, because the more they read, the better they will read and the faster they will read.”
Malele called on the community at large to play their part and support education initiatives in the community. “By attending school events, you are showing the children that you are committed and care about their education, which will instil the same values in them,” he stressed.
Musician and co-founder of Shout SA, Kabelo Mabalane, wrapped up the programme by calling on the children to stay in school, respect their teachers, and read. “Readers are leaders and leaders are readers. We all need to play our part and develop a love of reading in our communities,” he concluded.
Learners and teachers at TT Lekalake Primary School in Batharos now have a mobile library that will help in their educational needs.
Brand South Africa, in partnership with Shout SA and Breadline Africa, handed over the newly built and fully equipped mobile library on 29 January at Batharos in Northern Cape. Members of the community, parents as well as representatives from neighbouring schools attended the event in numbers.
The National Development Plan holds that education is a prerequisite for South Africa’s development, and the community in Batharos encourages learners to be dedicated, studious and focused children in response to this.
LEAST RESOURCED SCHOOL
“This library is not only a facility for the learners of this school,” said Tumisang Rabi, the principal. “It is a resource for the community at large. It is impossible for a community to grow and improve without proper literacy skills.
“This library will instil a love for reading in the smallest of children. It is very important for young children to learn to love reading, as this is a primary skill to ensure success not only in later grades, but also in life in general.”
The 2014 Annual National Assessment results revealed that there was a significant gap between children reading, understanding and interpreting information.
The library, combined with the commitment of learners and teachers, aims to bridge this gap at TT Lekalake – improving the academic results of the school and creating better opportunities for the learners as they progress into adulthood.
Jade Orgill, the project manager at Breadline Africa, articulated the importance of the library.
“This school is a government quintile 1 school, which means that they are the least resourced as per the government’s poverty quintile ranking. The lack of access usually translates into low literacy level such as is the case at TT Lekalake.
“One of the positive measures currently in place is the learner development programme that has been initiated by the governing body, teachers and parents.”
This programme is just one example of the active steps taken by the community of Batharos to improve the state of education in the district.
COMPULSORY READING AT SCHOOL
While the Department of Basic Education had instituted a compulsory reading period for all schools, teachers needed to set small goals for their learners throughout the year, which would contribute to the improvement of the literacy levels in the district, said the circuit manager of John Taoco Gaetsewe District, Mpho Malele.
“Make reading a priority at home,” he said. “Initially the children will read slowly and get frustrated, but it is important to encourage them to persevere, because the more they read, the better they will read and the faster they will read.”
Malele called on the community at large to play their part and support education initiatives in the community. “By attending school events, you are showing the children that you are committed and care about their education, which will instil the same values in them,” he stressed.
Kabelo Mabalane reads to two learners during the launch.
Musician and co-founder of Shout SA, Kabelo Mabalane, wrapped up the programme by calling on the children to stay in school, respect their teachers, and read. “Readers are leaders and leaders are readers. We all need to play our part and develop a love of reading in our communities,” he concluded.
