Liberty joins the world to commemorate the 15th anniversary of World Read Aloud Day
According to a Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) 2021 report, South Africa ranked last out of 57 countries in terms of literacy. A staggering eight out of ten children struggle to read by the age of 10. This is a sobering statistic, particularly in light of South Africa’s challenges in achieving its economic goals, where recent data highlights sluggish growth for the country, stagnating at 0,6%.
While the correlation between literacy levels and economic growth may not always be immediately obvious, studies indicate that economies with higher literacy rates tend to experience more robust economic activity. This is because literacy encompasses more than the ability to read, write, speak, and listen – it also involves the capacity to communicate effectively and make sense of the world around us.
With this looming societal problem in mind, Liberty has been playing a pivotal role in helping primary school learners better understand the world through its Read Aloud Programme, which has been in operation since 2001. Through this initiative, driven by Liberty’s employee volunteers, the organization has adopted five primary schools in Gauteng, where reading sessions take place. To date, the volunteers have conducted over 900 sessions, reaching more than 5 000 students, predominantly from non-fee-paying schools in the townships.
“This type of work really ignites our passion,” says Noma Matjila, Head of Corporate Social Investment at Liberty. “It aligns with our broader efforts in the Mathematics, Science, and English fields. But most importantly, our commitment to improving literacy supports the national agenda to increase the uptake of STEM subjects at the high school level.”
Matjila believes that by improving literacy at an early stage, Liberty – along with other key players in the education sector – is helping to build a solid pipeline of learners who will be more inclined to take on subjects traditionally viewed as difficult.
“For children, the ability to read is a foundational skill that opens the door to lifelong success,” she explains. “Literacy not only builds the confidence to tackle complex subjects like science and mathematics but also nurtures critical life skills, such as comprehension, imagination, and self-assurance.”
“As we celebrate World Read Aloud Day on 4 February, we are incredibly proud of the contribution we’ve made to this cause,” Matjila adds. “Our commitment is long-term, ensuring that our involvement has a meaningful and lasting impact on the learners’ lives.”
“We believe in sustainable community involvement, where the positive effects ripple out – not just benefiting the learners themselves, but also contributing to the broader economy,” she concludes.