23-04-2025
Over 2 in 5 households don't own a single book
Thousands of children enter formal schooling without the foundational literacy skills needed for success.
Research from the World Literacy Foundation shows that children who lack early literacy skills are more likely to fall behind and face long-term educational challenges. The research shows that despite government's recognition of early childhood development (ECD) as crucial to reversing South Africa's literacy crisis, meaningful action has been delayed by three decades.
Although the seventh administration has reaffirmed its focus on early childhood literacy, these commitments remain largely unfulfilled due to a lack of funding.
'Operating a compliant ECD programme costs nearly five times the per-learner subsidy, leaving many centres without sufficient resources,' explains Deb Zelezniak, CEO of the Santa Shoebox Project. 'Currently, 61% of ECD centres have fewer than 10 books for children, and only 56% provide age-appropriate reading materials.'
The lack of access to books extends beyond ECD centres, with over 40% of South African households having no books at all. According to the Department of Basic Education and Unifec South Africa, this means many children enter Grade One without ever having held a book.
'While the R99m allocated over the Medium-term Expenditure Framework for early grade reading initiatives is a step in the right direction, we need immediate action. The urgency of South Africa's literacy crisis cannot be overstated,' stresses Zelezniak.
In response, non-profits like the Santa Shoebox Project are stepping in to bridge the gap by installing reading corners in ECD centres, providing children with the essential resources they need to develop literacy skills. These spaces are filled with age-appropriate books, and children can engage with stories on their own or with a caregiver. To date, the organisation has installed over 220 reading corners in facilities around the country.
Caregivers are also trained on how to incorporate books into the learning experience in ways that support ECD milestones.
Between the ages of two and five, for example, these include pointing to objects in a book, turning pages independently, and beginning to grasp basic grammar concepts. Ultimately, these are the building blocks that help children read, write, communicate and connect with others – giving them a strong start at school and setting the stage for lifelong learning.
Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.
Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
