Eight out of 10 Grade Four learners have no comprehension
The report stated that eight out of 10 South African Grade Four learners do not have comprehension in any language.
The MMC for Community Development, Nonhlanhla Sifumba is encouraging Joburg residents to read.
This comes after the 2016 SA Progress in International Reading and Literacy Study (PIRLS) report was released in April.
The report stated that eight out of 10 South African Grade Four learners do not have comprehension in any language.
“SA was the lowest performing country of 50 countries that were assessed. With these results as City of Johannesburg Library and Information Services (LIS) we want to foster a culture of reading.”
“Reading development programmes such as the Battle of the Books and the Story Skirmish, the Science Scuffle Information Literacy Development Programme and the Family Literacy Programme can hugely contribute to encouraging children to read for comprehension,” said Sifumba.
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She said the gift of reading is one of the most important gifts a parent, grandparent or guardian can give children.
The City of Joburg through its Library Information Service will be implementing the Family Literacy Programme across the city’s libraries.
“The programme encourages family members to discover and emphasise the importance of reading stories to their children.”
This message was carried out at the Family Literacy Programme at the SA Children’s Book Fair (SACBF) which took place at the Ticket Pro Dome from June 7 to 10.
The annual SACBF is organised by the Book for Every Child Foundation.
The SACBF is centered on interactive workshops for children and adults, seminars, storytelling as well as special appearances by authors, illustrators, publishers and book vendors.
The objectives of the book fair are to educate, inform and inspire the love of reading.
The city libraries attended the book fair to promote the services and programme the city libraries have.
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Local libraries are:
• Malvern Library at Malvern Plaza, at the corner of Jules and Bartle streets. Contact 011 615 3031.
• Murray Park Library at the corner of Park and Stone streets in Belgravia. Contact 011 618 9882.
• Rhodes Park Library at the corner of Kitchener Avenue and Montague Road in Kensington. Contact 011 615 4510.
• Yeoville Library at the corner of Raleigh Street and Bedford Road. Contact 011 027 8599.
