Kingsmead College announced that entries are open for their annual Young Writers’ Competition. Encouraging a culture of reading and writing, the competition is open to all school children aged 6–18.
The writing competition aims to provide a platform for young writers’ skills and a space to explore different genres and styles with feedback from professional writers and publishers. With more than 80% of children in Grade 4 not being able to read for meaning, there is an urgent need for reading and writing to be given more attention.
University of Cape Town’s School of Education literacy specialist Dr Xolisa Guzula implored the Department of Basic Education to consider including rich learning experiences into their literacy strategy to help improve literacy levels in the country.
“Teachers must dedicate time in each day to engage in shared writing sessions with learners on topics that they are interested in and that draw on a wide range of societal issues. We need to make reading and writing part of daily life and like adult book clubs, children should join literacy clubs and engage in book discussions.”
Organiser of the Kingsmead Young Writers’ Competition, Corinne Rosmarin said a new generation of writers in South Africa needs to be inspired, “We want children to aspire to be writers and to see them in the same light as rock stars and celebrities.”
Director of marketing at Kingsmead College Alex Bouche explained that the school was thrilled with the number of submissions last year, some schools encouraged the whole class to enter their creative writing pieces. “I challenge all English teachers across our country to promote this competition within their classes.”
The Kingsmead Book Young Writers’ Competition closes at 18:00 on April 1.
Entries can be found on the Kingsmead Book Fair website.
Winners will be announced at the end of May.
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