The depressing stuff – only 2 of the findings from the PIRLS Report are listed but you can read the entire report here:
- 78% of South African Grade 4 children were not able to reach the lowest benchmark compared to 4% internationally.
- Grade 4 learners who attended schools in remote rural settings achieved significantly below the learners attending schools in densely populated urban and suburban areas.
The uplifting stuff:
- We have super smart, interesting, and eccentric authors who don’t need to stand back for anyone.
- South Africa is a diverse country with so many different cultures and learning from local authors about their identities in their storytelling is like eating ice cream on a very hot day!
- We can introduce the world to OUR world.
- We build our country when we #buylocal. Many people are involved in the production of a story – not just the author.
- Our stories range from fun-loving to serious – all genres are represented (just like our Rainbow Nation!)
- We can read in our home languages.
- We are unique, and so are our stories.
- We learn when we read.
- And because we could meet them face to face. And do coffee.
So, why NOT #ReadLocal?