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nal ibalilatest news & developments
After the release of the Reading Panel’s 2023 report, we have again been reminded of the shocking state of reading competence in our schools.

South African children face reading crisis

Publishing books in local languages could spark the interest of reading and understanding in young ones

File photo

Social employment could transform South African society

One example is the 1 000 literacy champions trained by Nal’ibali to encourage families and children to read together

ECD forums, if well run, have the potential to become essential resources in their communities. (Graphic: John McCann/M&G)

Nal’ibali: We can all help children learn to read – and to love it

Teaching children the joy of reading is not only the responsibility of schools. There are many ways in which we can impart this precious gift to them

The annual competition gives learners an opportunity to work with the Constitution and questions of equality, freedom and dignity (John McCann/M&G)

The true state of South Africa’s schools

South Africa has one of the most unequal school systems in the world. The gap in test scores between the top 20% and the rest is wider than in almost every other country

(Photo by Fairfax Media via Getty Images via Getty Images)

Project to give away 100 000 books to encourage childhood literacy

It will also support practitioners at 40 early childhood development centres to make use of a literacy-themed learning programme and provide practical training and materials to…

(John McCann/M&G)

We must keep Covid-19’s gains in education

COMMENT: The disaster regulations mandated zero-rating for some websites. Now it is time to expand this access

Graphic: John McCann/M&G

Saved by literature and love

“The library was a refuge I could run to when violence ripped at the very fabric of our existence and threatened to extinguish life itself,” writes Dr Barbara Boswell.

(John McCann/M&G)

Here’s the story: The psychological effects of the pandemic on children

A free webinar discusses how to help young people struggling to find their place in the new normal without classmates and friends

Why dads matter: How reading to your kids can make a difference

The amount of time fathers spend reading with their children can help predict how well their children will read and write in the future

Wonderful world: Children who read at home for pleasure do better at school. (Oupa Nkosi/M&G)

Locking down and in with stories for all ages

Using narratives help human beings to cope with life … reading aloud to babies and children gives them this skill for the future

A day to remember: Learners from local primary schools in Pretoria revel in the excitement of hearing a brand new story at the Es’kia Mpahele Community Library in Pretoria last month. (Daniel Born)

World Read Aloud Day breaks a record

Having celebrated the day for the past seven years, Nal’ibali has seen the number of children reached each year increase exponentially

Wonderful world: Children who read at home for pleasure do better at school. (Oupa Nkosi/M&G)

Reading aloud for literacy

As educators and children celebrate Word Read Aloud Day on Friday, this article discusses the importance — and fun — of reading aloud to children

South African parents, teachers and caregivers have demonstrated an appetite for interventions and new solutions (John McCann)

Break poverty divide, read to your children

In today’s digital world, it’s becoming easy to find stories in South Africa’s 11 languages

Wonderful world: Children who read at home for pleasure do better at school. (Oupa Nkosi/M&G)

Reading should be a delight, not a duty

We have long believed that education is important, but we, as a nation, are yet to be convinced that reading for pleasure is just as vital

The leadership of Cosatu.

It takes a village to end illiteracy

According to the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study 78% of South African grade four pupils cannot read with comprehension

Almost 80% of grade 4 pupils failed to reach the low international benchmark for reading and comprehension for that grade.

We do have solutions for SA’s reading crisis

Several excellent projects could be expanded immediately — for a meagre R500-million a year