Local learner crowned the winner of Gauteng Literacy Quiz

Ninety Grade Seven learners from the Ekurhuleni South district took up the challenge to participate in the quiz.

International Literacy Day was celebrating its 50th anniversary this month.

During the day, 900 Grade Seven learners’ numeracy skills were put to the test. They came from around the country.

Prizes were awarded to the best performers in each province.

Gugu Makhanya, the Saica senior executive said this is their way of improving the chances of employment for children when they finish school.

“We want to improve learners’ performance in maths and ensure that the youth are equipped with the numeracy skills they need to one day enter the marketplace with a higher chance of gaining employment,” said Makhanya.

She said the right way to do this was to start from the basics at primary level.

“This is precisely why Saica recently decided to extend it long-standing education upliftment projects to primary school learners as well,” explains Makhanya.

“It was with this extension in mind that the Saica quiz – a new event on Saica’s education upliftment project calendar, was developed. It aims to help participants appreciate the importance of numeracy and literacy skills and introduce the idea of studying towards a career in chartered accountancy,” Makhanya continued.

She added that “Having a good understanding of mathematics not only enhances a child’s ability to do well in science and technology-related subjects, but is also crucial to enable them to cope well with various aspects of an adult’s working and personal finance life.”

“South Africa seriously underperforms in maths and as a result, most learners opt to discontinue taking maths beyond Grade Nine.

“This has a detrimental effect on our economy as the number of learners who pass maths with a mark above 60 per cent decreases. The pool of those eligible to study towards scarce-skill professions such as medicine, architecture, chartered accountancy, engineering and others, shrinks as well,” concluded Makhanya.

A total of nine schools from Ekurhuleni South participated in the quiz.

The winners were:

1st place: Kabelo Nhlapo from Monde Primary School (84%)

2nd place: Anele Jiyane from Colin Mann Primary (83%)

3rd place: Yonela Sika from Sunnyridge Primary (82.5%)

The above learners walked away with prizes such as tablets, computers, calculators, dictionaries and Sudoko games.

Makhanya congratulated all the learners who took part.