The Eastern Cape Reading Strategy
The Eastern Cape Department of Education has launched a comprehensive reading strategy and campaign aimed at improving literacy outcomes across the province. The strategy recognises that reading is foundational to all learning and that the province’s literacy results require sustained, coordinated intervention.
Why This Matters
The Eastern Cape faces significant educational challenges: rural schools with limited resources, high teacher vacancy rates, and consistently low performance in literacy assessments. National reading assessments show that many learners in the province cannot read for meaning by the end of Grade 3, which has cascading effects on their ability to learn across all subjects.
Key Components of the Strategy
- Structured reading programmes – Implementation of programmes like PSRIP (Primary School Reading Improvement Programme) to provide teachers with lesson plans and reading materials
- Teacher development – Training teachers in evidence-based reading instruction methods, including phonics, guided reading, and comprehension strategies
- Reading resources – Distributing age-appropriate readers in English, isiXhosa, and other languages used in the province
- Community involvement – Encouraging parents and community members to support reading at home and in after-school programmes
- Monitoring and evaluation – Tracking reading outcomes at school and district level to identify where additional support is needed
How Teachers Can Support the Strategy
- Dedicate the CAPS-required time to reading instruction daily
- Use available reading materials (DBE workbooks, PSRIP readers, Nal’ibali resources)
- Create reading-rich classrooms with word walls, book corners, and displays in learners’ home language
- Participate in professional development opportunities offered by the district
- Assess reading levels regularly and group learners for guided reading based on their current level
Resources for Eastern Cape Teachers
- Eastern Cape Department of Education district offices for reading programme materials
- Nal’ibali (nalibali.org) reading-for-enjoyment resources in isiXhosa and English
- Room to Read and other NGOs active in the province supporting literacy development
- PSRIP materials available through the DBE