Put a book in a child’s hands
“We need to empower our children with books today so that they are guaranteed a better tomorrow.”
It is estimated that 60% of Grade One learners enter the classroom without ever having held a book.
According to Deb Zelezniak, CEO at the Santa Shoebox Project, this ‘inequality at the starting gate’ is part of the reason for the country’s highly unequal educational outcomes in later grades.
April 23 is World Book Day and with this in mind, Zelezniak emphasised that early literacy development is critical for children’s later academic, social, emotional and career success.
“Acknowledging the literacy crisis, the government has launched several initiatives to address literacy. There is a great need for more support to initiate, strengthen and fast track programmes that drive book ownership thus promoting reading,” she said.
“The 2023 National Reading Barometer indicated that only 35% of households, with children under the age of 10, have picture books.”
She said that the Reading Panel 2030 shows that the country is nowhere near reaching its target of ensuring that all children are able to read within the next six years.
In 2023, the nationally representative sample, PIRLS, where more than 1.1 million Grade Four learners were surveyed, found that 914,000 could not read for meaning, in any language.
“This means that 80% of children not achieve the relevant benchmark,” said Zelezniak.
“Globally, the link between owning books and academic success is widely documented. Children are our future decision-makers. It is therefore imperative that we get books into their hands and homes as soon and as widely as possible.”
Santa Shoebox has partnered with Book Dash, a fellow NPO that publishes proudly South Africa, engaging picture books for young children and their families.
The organisation is purchasing 70 000 books from Book Dash which will be included in shoeboxes that will be collected and distributed to children in need throughout SA and Namibia, at the end of the year. Book Dash has further pledged 10 000 for inclusion.
“Reading is crucial for early childhood development, while having access to children’s books at home is associated with higher odds for being on track with cognitive, communication, language, social, emotional and fine motor skill development,” she said.
“Owning books is thus directly linked to higher academic results,”
Zelezniak is calling on members of the community to further support this initiative by pledging R10 per book.
For more information follow Santa Shoebox on social media or go to www.bookdash.org.
Buy a book and support charity
Local charity organisations that have books galore at bargain prices include:
• The Murphy Cat Project (TMPC), Russel Street, Western Extension, 082 880 5571
• Pug Rescue, 80/1 Nielsen Road, Benoni AH, 082 449 2644
• Kids Haven, 34 Cranbourne Avenue, Benoni, 011 421 4222
• Benoni Lakes Lions Club, Beaulieu’s books, homeware and gifts, Morehill Market, 082 971 5472
• The Little Library on Sixth, corner of Sixth and Ugie streets, Northmead
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