Liberty joins the world to commemorate the fifteenth anniversary of World Learn Aloud Day
In accordance with a Progress in Worldwide Studying Literacy Examine (PIRLS) 2021 report, South Africa ranked final out of 57 nations by way of literacy. A staggering eight out of ten youngsters wrestle to learn by the age of 10. This can be a sobering statistic, notably in mild of South Africa’s challenges in attaining its financial objectives, the place current information highlights sluggish progress for the nation, stagnating at 0,6%.
Whereas the correlation between literacy ranges and financial progress might not at all times be instantly apparent, research point out that economies with increased literacy charges are likely to expertise extra sturdy financial exercise. It is because literacy encompasses greater than the flexibility to learn, write, communicate, and hear – it additionally includes the capability to speak successfully and make sense of the world round us.
With this looming societal downside in thoughts, Liberty has been taking part in a pivotal function in serving to major college learners higher perceive the world via its Learn Aloud Programme, which has been in operation since 2001. Via this initiative, pushed by Liberty’s worker volunteers, the group has adopted 5 major colleges in Gauteng, the place studying periods happen. So far, the volunteers have performed over 900 periods, reaching greater than 5 000 college students, predominantly from non-fee-paying colleges within the townships.
“The sort of work actually ignites our ardour,” says Noma Matjila, Head of Company Social Funding at Liberty. “It aligns with our broader efforts within the Arithmetic, Science, and English fields. However most significantly, our dedication to enhancing literacy helps the nationwide agenda to extend the uptake of STEM topics at the highschool stage.”
Matjila believes that by enhancing literacy at an early stage, Liberty – together with different key gamers within the training sector – helps to construct a strong pipeline of learners who will likely be extra inclined to tackle topics historically seen as tough.
“For youngsters, the flexibility to learn is a foundational talent that opens the door to lifelong success,” she explains. “Literacy not solely builds the arrogance to sort out advanced topics like science and arithmetic but additionally nurtures important life expertise, reminiscent of comprehension, creativeness, and self-assurance.”
“As we rejoice World Learn Aloud Day on 4 February, we’re extremely pleased with the contribution we’ve made to this trigger,” Matjila provides. “Our dedication is long-term, guaranteeing that our involvement has a significant and lasting affect on the learners’ lives.”
“We imagine in sustainable neighborhood involvement, the place the constructive results ripple out – not simply benefiting the learners themselves, but additionally contributing to the broader economic system,” she concludes.
