In 2019, the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) revealed that 81% of Grade 4 pupils in South Africa cannot read for meaning. This means that roughly eight out of ten children in South Africa are unable to locate and retrieve explicitly stated information in simple and easy text. This is a serious problem, as it has a significant impact on children’s ability to learn and succeed in school.
There are a number of factors that contribute to the reading crisis in South Africa. One factor is poverty. Many children in South Africa live in poverty, and they do not have access to the resources they need to learn to read. This includes access to books, computers, and other learning materials. Another factor is inequality. South Africa has a long history of inequality, and this inequality is reflected in the education system. Children from poor families are more likely to attend schools that are under-resourced and have less qualified teachers.
The Minister of Education, Angie Motshekga, has made a number of changes to the education system in an attempt to address the reading crisis. One change is the introduction of the National Reading Strategy. This strategy aims to improve the reading skills of all children in South Africa. The strategy includes a number of initiatives, such as the provision of more books and learning materials, the training of teachers in literacy instruction, and the establishment of reading clubs.
It is too early to say whether the changes made by Minister Motshekga will be successful in addressing the reading crisis. However, the changes are a step in the right direction. If the government is serious about improving the reading skills of children in South Africa, it will need to continue to invest in education and provide more resources for schools.
Changes Made by Minister Angie Motshekga
Since 2009, Minister Angie Motshekga has made a number of changes to the education system in an attempt to address the reading crisis. These changes include:
The introduction of the National Reading Strategy, which aims to improve the reading skills of all children in South Africa.
The provision of more books and learning materials to schools.
The training of teachers in literacy instruction.
The establishment of reading clubs in schools.
The National Reading Strategy is a comprehensive plan that includes a number of different initiatives. These initiatives are designed to address the different factors that contribute to the reading crisis. For example, the strategy provides for the provision of more books and learning materials to schools. This is important because children need access to books and other reading materials in order to learn to read. The strategy also provides for the training of teachers in literacy instruction. This is important because teachers need to be qualified to teach reading. The strategy also provides for the establishment of reading clubs in schools. Reading clubs are a great way to encourage children to read for pleasure.
It is too early to say whether the changes made by Minister Motshekga will be successful in addressing the reading crisis. However, the changes are a step in the right direction. If the government is serious about improving the reading skills of children in South Africa, it will need to continue to invest in education and provide more resources for schools.
The reading crisis in South Africa is a serious problem. It has a significant impact on children’s ability to learn and succeed in school. The Minister of Education, Angie Motshekga, has made a number of changes to the education system in an attempt to address the reading crisis. These changes are a step in the right direction. However, it is too early to say whether they will be successful. If the government is serious about improving the reading skills of children in South Africa, it will need to continue to invest in education and provide more resources for schools.