Hundreds of Grade 1 to 3 learners and their Reading Assistants, across fourteen schools, in the communities of Hankey, Patensie, Ocean View, Jeffreys Bay and Humansdorp, participated in a read-aloud competition, to commemorate Africa Day (25 May 2022).
As one of the highlights in this year’s Reading Assistant programme, which is part of Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm’s Literacy and Numeracy programme, this event is aimed at encouraging learners and Reading Assistants to take part in a reading and discussion activity, or similar literacy game, carrying an ‘Africa’ theme.
Thandiswa Tshikila, Reading Assistant at Thornhill Combined School was selected as the competition winner as her interactive ‘at the beach’ theme really stood out, as well as her ability to conduct the activity in both English and Afrikaans.
Thandiswa received two African themed story books for her reading coach kit as a prize.
“Fun activities are sometimes just as effective as hard work, and ultimately, we like to stimulate the love of reading amongst young learners,” said Tsholofelo Moote, Economic Development Specialist for Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm, who funded this project as part of its Socio-Economic Development Programme, which has a keen focus on providing access to quality education.
The context of Africa Day, also helps learners to be aware of South Africa’s place on the continent and the many other countries that we share it with.To-date the Literacy and Numeracy programme, which is active across 14 primary schools within the communities of Hankey, Patensie, Ocean View, Jeffreys Bay and Humansdorp, has drawn in nineteen youth from the wind farm’s surrounding communities, to train as Reading Assistants.
The Programme forms part of Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm’s Foundation Phase Education Programme, and is particularly impactful as children are assisted individually or in small groups, according to their ability, paying particular attention to those who struggle. The Programme incorporates a number of elements, namely employment opportunities, training and resources. In addition to this, schools also receive books for reading and maths clubs.
