African retail giant, Game has announced their children’s books range would be
extended to include a wider range of books written in vernacular languages by local authors and more local study guides.
Ahead of International Day of the Book on 23 April, having more children’s books and educational study guides available affords children access to reading in their vernacular language and encourages a positive learning experience.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically changed the way children learn today. With online learning and home-schooling taking precedence, many children remain
disadvantaged due to their reliance on written material. At Game, we have extended our local children’s books and local study guides range to increase access to learning material and to give children the opportunity to read in their own mother-tongue,” says Katherine
Madley, Vice President of Marketing at Game.
Education expert, Professor Mary Metcalfe, who spoke at University of Cape Town’s (UCT) 2019 Summer School, said a lack of reading material and textbooks are two main reasons why 78% of South African children in grade 3 cannot read for meaning. The extended range of local textbooks available at Game will help parents to assist their children to master school subject matter in the convenience of their own homes.
Reading in vernacular, especially in mother-tongue languages, inspires a culture of reading within families and has a bigger benefit in the learning journey of a child.
Reading in your mother-tongue facilitates the improvement of literacy levels at a young age and assists in the development of comprehension in other learning areas beyond narrative stories.
“We are excited about our extended range of local books and study guides because we believe in the power of reading and education. Providing access to educational material goes a long way in building change within our education system,” says Madley.
Part of the extensive range of books available at Game includes Jafta’s Mother in Sepedi, Astro Girl in Zulu, The Answer Series Grade 10 Physical Science, The Answer Series Grade
11 Mathematics 3 and much more.
