CAPE TOWN-The young boys and girls from Zwaanswyk Academy were reminded about the importance of reading and education while they celebrated World Literacy Day.
The school held storybook readings for Grade 6 learners in their playground park as well as inside their library on Monday 8 September.
World Literacy Day is an annual and international celebration that takes place on 8 September to remind policy-makers, practitioners, and the public of the critical importance of literacy for creating a more literate, just, peaceful, and sustainable society.
People’s Post spoke with school librarian and Retreat resident Letitia Tilly who has worked for one year at the school.
Tilly has a rich history with serving the Cape Metro’s libraries and has over 20 years of experience as a librarian.
She has worked at both Southfield and Retreat library.
Her passion for books and reading blossomed at an early age, she recalls.
“When I was very young my father would take us to the library to take out books and my passion started there, we were nine children back then.
“I can still remember the titles of the Beatrix Potter booklets at that time which was a few of my favourite books then.”
She says she always looked forward to working in a school library and leaped at the chance.
“I really enjoy working with the children from the Grade R’s to the Grade 7’s.”
She reiterates that the access to reading materials and libraries remains an alarming scarcity for those less fortunate.
“It’s so important to read and we are so privileged that we have books to read. There are so many in Cape Town that lack this access that we have.
“On the day I could see the learners really love reading and are interested in what we have to offer at the library.”
Tilly says it’s important that parents foster and cultivate a culture of reading at home and limiting screen time for their children when they wish to scroll on their tablets or cellphones.
“It is up to the parents to tell their kids that they should put down their tablets and say it’s time for reading and keep practising.
“Too much social media can also have very negative impacts on their lives and should be monitored.
“It’s a challenge to encourage reading but it must be introduced to the children at a very young age,” she says.
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