Readathon
2012
“It is my wish that every child has access to books and to the
wonderful experience that can be opened up to them
through reading. Everything possible must be done to
encourage reading in our schools and homes ….” This was
Nelson Mandela's wish even before the information
explosion made reading the number one priority in global
education.
According to the World Bank Group, the knowledge
economy is transforming the demands of the labour market
throughout the world. In industrial countries, where
knowledge-based industries are expanding rapidly, so is
the demand for highly-skilled workers: the need for lowerskilled workers is decreasing proportionately.
The launch of READ's 2012 Readathon, from August to
October 2012, is thus heartening news to those concerned
about South Africa's literacy. Started by READ in 1989, the
annual Readathon is a literacy awareness campaign which
focuses on exciting activities and encourages the
appreciation of the joy of reading. The theme for the 2012
campaign is, appropriately, “The more you read, the more
you know”.
Adhering to tradition, the 2012 campaign will be built around
a number of literacy activities, central to which is a
handbook that encourages teachers by providing literacy
activities, and gives them a terri?c selection of stories,
quotations, slogans, competitions and posters. It includes a
variety of writing frames, examples and illustrations –
invaluable for the workshops that will be held over the three
months. Four Thousand handbooks will be distributed to
schools nationally and can be downloaded from the READ
website in three booklet formats.
During the 2011 Readathon campaign, book clubs were
formed as a pilot in Gauteng. They proved to be successful
and a valuable activity to the campaign. They have now
been expanded and Children throughout the country are
being encouraged to introduce book clubs within their
communities and schools.
Stemming from the creation of the book clubs in Gauteng,
the Reading Starz Forum has been introduced as a part of
the 2012 campaign. Monthly meetings take place, where
youngsters are taught how to start and maintain book clubs.
Guest speakers are organised to share their experiences,
and members can interact with them. The members are
encouraged to share views on books, submit book reviews
that will be published on the website, and be involved in
reading-orientated competitions.
After becoming a member of the Reading Stars Forum, you
are able to submit a book review, to stand a chance of
participating in a workshop. These workshops will be held in
October by one of the Reading Starz Forum ambassadors.
The workshops offered are a 'Drama and Script Writing
Workshop' with Hlubi Mboya and Grethe Fox, as well as a
'Poetry and Writing Workshop' with Ntsiki Mazwai.
During the campaign, school visits will be arranged and
Grade 3 and 4 school-goers will experience the excitement
of meeting some of their favourite celebrities – Readathon
Ambassadors such as Hlubi Mboya, Grethe Fox, Ntsiki
Matswai, Khabonina Qubeka and Baby Jake – who will chat
and read to them, and hand out books.
There'll be a visit to parliament and, also in September
during International Literacy Week (Sep 3 to 9) a 'Flash
Reading Mob'.
All-in-all the 2012 Readathon will introduce to a whole new
school-going sector the glorious bene?ts to be gained
through the simple and most precious art of reading. In your
own way, you too can help your country, by encouraging the
children in your family to create their own Readathon!
AIMS TO LIFT SA'S STANDARDS
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