Liberty joins the world to commemorate the 15th anniversary of World Learn Aloud Day
In line with a Progress in Worldwide Studying Literacy Research (PIRLS) 2021 report, South Africa ranked final out of 57 international locations by way of literacy. A staggering eight out of ten kids battle to learn by the age of 10. It is a sobering statistic, notably in gentle of South Africa’s challenges in reaching its financial targets, the place latest knowledge highlights sluggish development for the nation, stagnating at 0,6%.
Whereas the correlation between literacy ranges and financial development might not at all times be instantly apparent, research point out that economies with greater literacy charges are inclined to expertise extra sturdy financial exercise. It’s because literacy encompasses greater than the flexibility to learn, write, communicate, and hear – it additionally entails the capability to speak successfully and make sense of the world round us.
With this looming societal drawback in thoughts, Liberty has been taking part in a pivotal position in serving to main faculty learners higher perceive the world by means of 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 main faculties in Gauteng, the place studying classes happen. So far, the volunteers have performed over 900 classes, reaching greater than 5 000 college students, predominantly from non-fee-paying faculties within the townships.
“Any such 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 might be extra inclined to tackle topics historically seen as troublesome.
“For youngsters, the flexibility to learn is a foundational ability that opens the door to lifelong success,” she explains. “Literacy not solely builds the boldness to sort out advanced topics like science and arithmetic but in addition nurtures essential life expertise, similar to comprehension, creativeness, and self-assurance.”
“As we have a good time World Learn Aloud Day on 4 February, we’re extremely happy 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 consider in sustainable neighborhood involvement, the place the constructive results ripple out – not simply benefiting the learners themselves, but in addition contributing to the broader financial system,” she concludes.
