2023 Reading Barometer: 69% of 10-year-olds will be unable to read for meaning by 2026
"Giving them access to books really is going to set them up for success," says Seago Maapola, an educational psychologist.
Pic: 123Rf, @Pitinan
Clarence Ford interviews Seago Maapola, an educational psychologist.
Listen below.
The 2023 National Reading Barometer has delivered a sobering forecast for literacy and reading skills in South Africa, projecting that by 2026, around 69% of 10-year-olds will struggle to read with comprehension.
The report highlights several critical issues:
- Many pupils leave Grade 1 without mastering the alphabet.
- Three out of five households lack any fiction or nonfiction books.
- 65% of homes with children under 10-years-old do not have a single picture book.
- Only 52% of adults living with children engage in reading with them.
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Maapola is optimistic that the appointment of the new Minister of Basic Education, along with various national initiatives, can alter the current trajectory within the next one to two years.
She urges businesses and companies to explore partnerships with the government to drive meaningful change and secure a brighter future for our children.
"We are possibly looking at a turn of events."
- Seago Maapola, educational psychologist
Maapola emphasises the importance of providing children with books that are inclusive, multicultural, multilingual, and relatable.
By ensuring access to such diverse reading materials, she believes we will see a positive shift in the statistics.
"Giving them access to books really is going to set them up for success."
- Seago Maapola, educational psychologist
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.