Pupils at Maragon Private Schools wrapped up National Book Week celebrations on 4 September by dressing up as their favourite book characters.
The foundation phase joined in the fun and characters including Scooby Doo, Super Man and princesses made appearances in an effort to raise awareness for National Book Week and early childhood reading.
According to data collected by the National Education Evaluation and Development Unit last year, 13 per cent of Grade 5 pupils were illiterate in South Africa and most of them did not score more than four out of 20 on a comprehensive exercise.
“It is so important that children start reading at a young age and we want to encourage that development in a fun way by dressing up as their favourite characters from their books. It is entertaining but they also learn a thing or two,” noted Gerda Kies, an educator at Maragon.
Pupils were encouraged to bring books to school and share their favourite stories as part of reader’s celebrations.
Grade 2 pupil, Joshua Pienaar said, “I enjoyed dressing up and seeing my friends’ costumes. I think reading is very important and is key to making it far in life.”
