Paarl Schools to get well-stocked libraries

Thousands of Western Cape pupils could soon have access to fully stocked libraries, says Education Minister Naledi Pandor.

If Parliament approves the Education Laws Amendment Bill, which will be debated in parliament in the next few weeks, then schools will be required to have fully stocked libraries.

"I have put a bill in Parliament that sets out libraries as a norm in schools."

'The first thing we have to do is ensure all schools have a proper library'

If the bill was approved, the definition of a school would change. The bill would define schools as institutions that have classrooms, libraries and laboratories.

The debate around school libraries comes as pupils across the province celebrate National Readathon Week.

On Wednesday, Pandor celebrated Readathon Week with primary school pupils who entertained her with their reading skills at her Cape Town office.

She told pupils that libraries were one of the department's initiatives to increase the literacy levels of pupils. "The first thing we have to do is ensure all schools have a proper library," said Pandor.

The eight pupils, all from primary schools in Paarl, also got a chance to give Pandor some tips on how to improve pupils' reading skills.

'If we want to produce literate learners, then we have to build school libraries'
Vuyani Hendry, a Grade 6 pupil at Ebenezer Primary, said: "All schools must have a reading period and a library.

"Teachers must also "love reading".

Kyla Bothma, in Grade 4 at Paarlzicht Primary, said: "I think you (Pandor) should give children books they find interesting and would like to read."

Literacy levels in the Western Cape are currently low.

The shocking result of the province's latest Grade 3 performance study, which tested writing, reading and numeracy skills, found more than 53% of pupils were battling to read.

Brian Prehn, from READ, a non-profit organisation promoting literacy skills and driving Readathon Week, said: "If we want to produce literate learners, then we have to build school libraries."

From: http://www.iol.co.za