School principal Deb de Jagger said the competition was designed to support learners at their most crucial stage of literacy development, especially in the foundation phase.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers
Learners at Sentinel Primary School in Hout Bay were rewarded this week for their progress in reading, with prizes going to the most improved readers across all grades.
The competition, supported by the NGO ABC for Life, comes amid growing concern over literacy in South Africa, where studies show that only around 50% of Grade 4 learners can read for meaning in any language, highlighting the urgent need for early reading interventions.
School principal Deb de Jagger said the competition was designed to support learners at their most crucial stage of literacy development, especially in the foundation phase.
"One of the volunteers came to me with this initiative last year, and we were immediately on board because of how this would benefit children in their most crucial phase," De Jagger said.
She said a lack of exposure to books often limits learners’ English language skills, leading them to rely on slang in both speech and writing.
"Children speak what they hear, and when they don’t read, they miss the correctly written and spoken English language," she said.
Many learners in the community grow up with grandparents while parents work long hours, leaving little time to read with children at home, she explained.
The competition encouraged more involvement from both teachers and parents, helping track reading progress and engagement.
One of the learners at Sentinel Primary School quiety reads a book in the classroom.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers
All grades from 2 to 7 participated, each setting their own criteria, from reading aloud to focusing on English and Afrikaans books.
Teachers were able to assess reading proficiency more closely, while parents became actively involved in supporting reading at home. Volunteers from ABC for Life also assisted teachers and learners with specialised literacy activities.
De Jager said that the excitement among learners was clear at the school assembly, where winners were announced.
"We have already seen a lot of changes in the children. They are more confident. Even our Grade R learners are able to read in front of the school. It is amazing to see," she said.
The Sentinel Primary School principal said they have already seen a lot of changes in the children, who are now more confident to read in front of the school.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) said it continues to make literacy a priority in the province.
"Building strong foundational literacy skills is central to our strategy, and we are supporting schools with additional classroom time, early assessments, and benchmarks to ensure learners are on track," said a department spokesperson.
The WCED outlined that it is rolling out early baseline literacy assessments and term‑by‑term reading fluency benchmarks to help teachers identify gaps and tailor support for learners.
The hampers awarded to competition winners were valued at R1,000 each. De Jagger said they were chosen because "when you look at the community, sometimes people appear fine but there is a lot of poverty. Hampers like this are useful, and if a more fortunate child wins, they often share it with others."
De Jagger said the school aims to make the competition a permanent fixture and hopes to extend it to other schools in Hout Bay.
"I am proud of the teachers and learners for the job they did. Focusing on the most improved, not only the top readers, makes a difference because it gives hope to all the kids," she said.
lilita.gcwabe@inl.co.za