NECT Reading campaign draws favourable reaction in Giyani
NECT embraces reading revolution call Giyani School schools’ part of the pilot project leads in following Ramaphosa’s message for a reading revolution
Benson Ntlemo
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call for a Reading Revolution has not fallen on deaf ears as the National Education Collaboration Trust has taken the lead in taking Ramaphosa’s message forward.
In his state of the nation address last year, Ramaphosa said there was a national reading challenge in the country and called for a Reading Revolution. NECT called a dialogue session in Giyani in Limpopo where four circuits were represented and many people including former educators, traditional leaders and pastors attended.
The meeting resolved to support the president’s call and also appointed volunteers to assist in schools to motivate leaners to read even for pleasure.
Sukani Primary school in Giyani on Friday made good on NECT’s campaign when it had a one hour reading session recently. This coincided with the World Mother Tongue Language Day. Although there was no volunteer present at the school, a school teacher Titswalo Baloyi led the session and the event went well.
“It was an exciting session and I hope learners enjoyed it and their thirst for reading has been whetted, “said school Principal Ali Siweya. He said they will regularly have such sessions and they will benefit learners to develop more interest in reading.
At the NECT Consultative meeting in Giyani held at Mashamba Lodge recently, NECT CEO Godwin Khosa praised the president for the call for a reading nation and said it was in line with NECT’s vision. He said NECT would spend resources to make sure the campaign bore fruit.
The dialogue session was attended by people from various hues. They included school principals, ex educators, religious leaders, traditional leaders and political leaders Limpopo programme manager Lydia Phutumile said although they are piloting with four circuits, they have already reached 34 schools in Limpopo.
She said the campaign has drawn much interest in the community. Man’ombe circuit manager Edwin Chavalala said the department of education was working with NEXT to take forward the president’s call.
