Monday marks International Literacy Day. According to UNESCO, at least 739 million youth and adults worldwide still lack basic literacy skills in 2024. At the same time, 4 in 10 children are not reaching minimum proficiency in reading, and 272 million children and adolescents were out of school in 2023.
The theme for 2025 is “Promoting literacy in the digital era”,as digitalisation has been changing ways in which we learn, live, work and socialise, in both positive and negative ways.
ARCHIVE - Bush Radio's Mitchum George reading a children's bookWestern Cape Education MEC, David Maynier is appealing to
parents to support the department in improving children’s reading skills.
‘’ The scale of the early grade reading problem is
immense, and we will all need to pull together in the same direction to solve
it. A love of reading is the greatest gift that you can give to your child. Strong
reading skills are essential for success in other school subjects, and
improving early grade reading builds a stronger foundation for later grades.’’
‘’Speak to your child’s teacher for guidance on how to help
develop their reading skills, or visit the WCED website for free eBooks and
learning resources. Working together, we
can improve learning outcomes for our children in the Western Cape,’’ he added.
The Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport
(DCAS) shared its commitment to the reading culture, saying public libraries
across the Western Cape are opening doors to opportunity and lifelong learning.
‘’Libraries and literacy are crucial in our society.
Reading is foundational for school success, employability and active
citizenship. Libraries reduce barriers by offering free access to books, e
books, safe study spaces, skilled staff, and connectivity. Digital literacy is
also essential: in an AI enabled world, libraries equip residents to find,
evaluate and create information responsibly,’’ said the department.
Cultural Affairs and Sport MEC, Ricardo Mackenzie, called
on residents to join their local library and to keep reading.
“On International Literacy Day, we celebrate the everyday
heroes—our librarians, volunteers, parents and young people—who keep the flame
of reading alive. In a rapidly digitalising world, the Western Cape’s public
libraries are more than buildings with books: they are springboards into
learning, opportunity and hope. This year alone, our library literacy
programmes directly supported more than 600 residents, and our network of 375
service points continues to bring stories, skills and connection within reach
of every community. Reading opens doors—at school, at work and in life. I
invite every resident to visit their local library, borrow a book or download
an e book, join a reading circle, and sign up for my ALMAL Book Club. Let’s
build a province of readers.”
Meanwhile, over 200 youngsters took part in the City of
Cape Town’s annual writing competition. The winners were announced at the Open
Book Festival held at the Central Library, over the weekend.
The theme for this year’s competition required writers to
craft a short story around a mysterious box that they stumble upon while
exploring their school or local library. The box is adorned with strange
symbols, emitting a faint humming sound.
‘’We are extremely proud of this year’s participants. Their
stories and artwork were imaginative and beautifully written. This year, we
introduced a new category for Best Artwork or Illustrations in recognition of
the creativity and artistic talent shown by the learners. We were wonderfully
surprised by the imaginative visuals that accompanied many of the stories,
adding depth and vibrancy to their storytelling. This competition is just one
of the many ways that the Community Services and Health Directorate is creating
opportunities for our youth and supporting creativity and literacy,’’ said Francine
Higham, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services & Health.
Done by: Mitchum George
Comments