Wheeling in knowledge through mobile libraries
Before receiving these educational gifts, teachers at the school had made many attempts to improve pupils' literacy rates without proper library facilities but found it rather challenging.
In celebration of International Literacy Day earlier this month, private higher education institution Management College of Southern Africa (Mancosa), together with the Yusuf Karodia Foundation, sponsored three mobile libraries to Amandawe Primary School in the Umdoni district.
Before receiving these educational gifts, teachers at the school had made many attempts to improve pupils’ literacy rates without proper library facilities but found it rather challenging.
Founder of Mancosa, the late Professor Yusuf Karodia, strongly believed that reading is an essential ingredient for children to improve their literacy, further their education and to brighten their future.
Through his foundation, the Million Books Project was launched in 2017 and aims to provide millions of books to school children across across the country through mobile libraries.
Karodia once stated that research has shown that access to libraries improves learner performance and increases their chances of success.
These libraries were made mobile so they can be wheeled from one classroom to another without any hassle.
Professor Magnate Ntombela, the principal of Mancosa, handed over the mobile libraries to the principal of Amandawe Primary, Nonhlanhla Dyantyi, and mentioned that Mancosa has heeded the call made by Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, for all South Africans to support the Department of Basic Education’s Read to Lead campaign.
“A literate, educated society is a safer, healthier, and more prosperous one,” said Ntombela.
“It is envisaged that the introduction of these mobile libraries will contribute in a small, yet meaningful way to improve the literacy rate in our country.”
Ahmed Motala, the CEO of New Africa Education Foundation, was also present at the handover as the mobile libraries roll-out to the beneficiary schools was coordinated and managed by the foundation, an NPO which has partnered with Mancosa and the Department of Basic Education.
Amandawe Primary pupils, who were overjoyed with their new mobile libraries, can now easily access a diverse collection of books in the comfort of their classes and thanked the sponsors for these gifts.
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