Basic Education Department to implement language specific strategies to address the reading crisis in Grade 1 to 3

The Basic Education Department said that it will start implementing language specific strategies to address the reading crisis in Grade 1 to 3 learners nationwide.

Minister, Siviwe Gwarube said that the move is prompted by a study that’s revealed that 15% of learners cannot read a single word by the end of grade 3. 

She revealed the information at the launch of the Funda Uphumelele national survey which gives a report of early grade reading outcomes across all official languages in the first three grades.

JThe study shows that there is a strong relationship between mastering reading at a foundation phase and being able to comprehend information being read.

It also shows that by Grade 4 less than half of the learners can read grade appropriate levels.

Gwarube said that to address this, the results need to be shared widely so that the extent of the problem is known and solutions provided can be specific to the problems.

"At the district and school support level we are distributing newly developed, language-appropriate reading assessments to subject advisers and schools, this work will strengthen accountability and improve support from district offices and school management teams."

She added that this is to ensure targeted remediation.