Learners turn walkways, trees into reading corners

Learners at Pietersburg English Medium Primary School (Pemps) were spotted reading in groups both in and outside the classrooms when they celebrated World Reading Day guided by the theme ‘Readers are leaders, Leaders are readers’ last Thursday.
The learners turned walkways, trees, media centre and designated areas in the classrooms into reading corners. During the visit Polokwane Observer learnt that Pemps had adopted a culture that allows each learner to read two books per week. Grade 1 learners also have what is named ‘The reading corner’ in the classrooms where learners gather around in groups to read to themselves or to the group.
School librarian Bonay van der Schyff informed that they have a well-equipped media centre filled with books and is capable of lending 1 000 learners two books each. She said during the World Reading Day celebration, Grades 6 and 7 learners had to read aloud to the Foundation Phase learners.
“We have a system that allows all our learners to borrow two books a week. We hope that reading activities at the school would encourage learners to read more during their spare time to gain knowledge and information.
We will be celebrating National Book Week from 2 to 7 September and International Literacy Day on 8 September,” Van der Schyff explained.
She challenged other schools both in the city and rural areas to take part in such celebrations to make reading a norm in their respective schools which would in-turn boost learners’ vocabulary.

Story and photos: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za