Question NW1031 to the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
12 April 2023 - NW1031
Ngcobo, Mr SL to ask the Minister of Basic Education to ask the Minister of Basic Education
Whether, considering the low literacy rates in South African schools which continue to deepen the literacy crisis and noting the many initiatives her department has embarked upon in this regard, it has found that any of their programmes directed at curbing the literacy crisis, are effective; if not, has her department considered updating and/or relaunching the specified programmes in order to enhance the learner attitudes towards reading; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
The Department of Basic Education (DBE), in collaboration with a team of reading experts from civil society organisations, academia, Provincial Education Departments (PEDs), and schools, developed the Integrated National Reading Sector Plan (hereafter referred to as the Sector Plan). The Sector Plan recognises that sustainable improvements in reading, require a comprehensive response that involves more than classroom interventions. It therefore, provides a framework for promoting reading and improving literacy levels by focusing on a number of pillars; for example, teacher development and support; strengthening classroom practices; building the capacity of the sector to monitor and support reading development; parental and community support and mobilisation; partnerships; etc. Using this framework, Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) developed more localised plans.
The DBE, supported by the National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT), has however been reflecting on the implementation of the Sector Plan. This reflection process includes assessing the Sector Plan, to determine its strengths and weaknesses, with a view to strengthening it. To this end, a Steering Committee has been set up to oversee this work. Experts from the sector, will be brought in to support the steering committee. It is envisaged that at the end of this process, the DBE will have a revised and strengthened Integrated National Reading Sector Plan.