In a nation where only 22% of all Grade 4s are achieving basic levels of literacy, most young children aren’t achieving their full potential. But by connecting unemployed recent matric graduates with young learners, Shine Literacy is training reading champions in school to develop vital reading and language skills.
Thanks to a R500 000 funds injection by MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet, the innovative Youth 4 Literacy programme will be playing its part in helping to tackle illiteracy, while helping upskill young adults and boost their self esteem as they seek employment.
Untapped potential
The National Department of Basic Education (DBE) points to low levels of literacy as a key reason behind high dropout and low matriculation success rates. As children struggle to understand learning material, they often become disengaged and leave school.
Now, more than ever, schools need to become places where daily reading of books and writing activities are a priority. This means ensuring there are systems, policies and activities in place that encourage daily reading behaviour and a love of books, storytelling, individualised reading practice and creative writing.
Shine Literacy wants to do just that — and reading champions offer an innovative way of helping develop vital language skills. At the same time, by upskilling unemployed matriculants, young people build the self-esteem they need to find gainful employment and contribute to their communities.