In commemoration of World Book day, celebrated annually on 23 April, Coronation Fund Managers has rolled out 21 mobile libraries to disadvantaged schools.
With Levana Primary, Lotus River Primary, Hillwood Primary, Nooitgedacht Primary, Mkhanyiseli Primary, Vorentoe Primary and Cypress primary schools benefiting, officials held an event at Cypress Primary school on Thursday 20 April.
Five mobile libraries were handed over at this event.
Coronation board chair Alex Watson says: “The schools are part of our CSI schools where Living Through Learning is currently working in.”
These fully stocked mobile libraries form part of the Coronation and literacy organisation Living Through Learning’s campaign to support disadvantaged schools across the province for World Book Day.
Coronation supports early literacy development to help address South Africa’s early literacy crisis.
The colourful literacy event was packed with fun activities for the Cypress Primary juniors, who played literacy games, dressed as book characters, and unwrapped piles of newly received books in the school’s vibrant Reading Adventure Room. Pupils also received a meal from the food relief NGO Ladles of Love.
“Improving early literacy outcomes, and especially children’s ability to read for meaning and enjoyment by Grade 3, is a critical step in solving South Africa’s literacy crisis. We’re here today at Cypress Primary to show our commitment to the cause, and also to show the learners that they matter and that a love of reading can open doors for a more prosperous future,” says Watson.
“The fact is that real reading comprehension and enjoyment by Grade 3 is a critical determinant of future academic success and prosperity for all children. It directly correlates to dropout and pass rates in high school and employability later in life. Coronation is therefore absolutely committed to early literacy interventions in South Africa to help solve the literacy crisis the country is facing, and that is why we are celebrating World Book Day today.”
This is the first time partnering with Cypress Primary, says Watson.
“The mobile libraries are focused on the foundation phase learners (specifically Grade R – Grade 2) as that is where the Living Through Learning programme works in. It’s important to get learners to read from a young age,” she says.
The concept of mobile libraries bridges a specific gap.
“These schools did not have a library in the schools and since some of our schools are under-resourced in terms of books and infrastructure, we came up with the concept of mobile libraries so that learners can still have access to reading books and have a reading period to encourage the spirit of reading as a way to improve their literacy levels,” says Watson.
“The teacher has books on hand to read whenever there is an opportunity. Having it in class cultivates the love of reading throughout the day. It’s lockable for safe keeping. The mobile libraries are stocked with a combination of books a level below, on par and above the specific grade we place them in. This gives all the learners equal opportunity to utilise the books. It’s story books, pop-up books, alphabet books, sound books and some sensory books.”
Recent research reveals that fewer primary school children in SA can read for meaning now than before the Covid-19 pandemic, and 60% of children entering Grade 2 do not know the alphabet. Three million South Africans lack basic education, which costs the economy ±$6.7 billion annually, according to new international research. “More must be done to solve the literacy crisis and therefore the private sector must step in,” says Watson.
Since 2018, Coronation and Living Through Learning have jointly rolled out 74 mobile libraries for 53 classrooms in 11 schools, reaching 2 760 pupils daily.
