THE PRIMARY SCHOOL READING CRISIS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Dr Nic Spaull, senior researcher, Department of Economics, Stellenbosch University

A report published in December 2017 revealed that 78% of Grade 4 South African learners cannot read for meaning. The first lecture of this course gives an overview of the South African education system, outlining the background to the current reading crisis which has led to the phenomenon of ‘schooling without learning’ where children progress through the grades without gaining knowledge and skills. The second lecture will comment in detail on the reading crisis in the country, including statistics, causes, positive initiatives and a possible way forward. 

LECTURE TITLES

1. An overview of the South African education system

2. Reading outcomes in South Africa

Recommended reading

Spaull, N. & Hoadley, U. ‘Getting Reading Right’. In Jamieson L, Berry L & Lake L (eds) South African Child Gauge 2017. Cape Town: Children’s Institute, University of Cape Town.