September is literacy month and from Thursday till September 11 it will be National Book Week. Educational psychologist Seago Maapola said National Book Week is a critical time to highlight the importance of multicultural and multilingual education.
She further said the country would mark International Literacy Day on September 8. "The need to foster literacy, with a focus on multilingual education, among children from a young age, has never been more pressing," said Maapola.
She said literacy is one of the most basic tools for cultivating tolerance and peace. “With increased interconnection, language barriers that cause misunderstanding, conflict, and disqualification can be lessened,” explained Maapola.
She said this year, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) theme for International Literacy Day is Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for mutual understanding and peace. Maapola said there was a critical need to teach literacy at an Early Childhood Development (ECD) level, in children’s languages so that the books they read are relatable.
She said multilingual education is vital as learners who receive instruction in their mother tongue during their early years perform better when they move over to English from Grade Four. She said it not only improves academic outcomes but also fosters inclusivity and respect for cultural diversity, enhancing mutual understanding and respect.
Maapola highlighted the importance of training and support for primary school teachers if SA’s “shocking” literacy statistics are to improve. She further said the 2030 Reading Panel found there is a need for urgent reform in the training of primary school teachers, who arrive at university with some of the lowest language skills and receive inadequate training in teaching children to read.
“Early exposure to literature nurtures a love of reading and builds essential literacy skills, setting the foundation for lifelong learning. When children read in their language, they understand better; when they read or are read stories they can relate to, it boosts their confidence, their identity, and their experience of education,” she added.
Maapola said children entering primary school often have inadequate pre-literacy skills affecting their learning. Their inability to keep up can lead to feelings of inferiority and low self-esteem.
“Poor literacy can have negative effects that surpass school-going years, including emotional, social, and financial burdens. Literacy is not just about reading and writing; it's about giving children the tools to unlock their potential and shape their future,” said Maapola.
Independent on Saturday