Friday, July 9, 2010

Calls for emphasis on education on Mandela Day

The Nelson Mandela Institute and civil society around the country want education firmly on the national agenda this Mandela Day. As the country's first democratic president celebrates his 92nd birthday on July 18 later this month, they want South Africans to use some of their time- to give back to creches and schools.It has become very apparent that many South African children are not reading at the proficiency levels they should. With resources stretched, many schools simply do without libraries.

Education activists want citizens to turn the tide this Mandela Day and beyond. Nelson Mandela Institute representative, Kimberley Porteus, says there are six ideas, some of the most important ones is they are really encouraging people to find a favourite storybook and take it to a local school and creche but also start engaging with reading to and with children.


An appeal has also been made for people to make or collect educational toys and to start writing and reading stories to children in all official languages. Grade 10 pupil, Phathiswa Shushwana, says education is crucial as it is mostly one of the things that they as young people need and it is the salvation of the country. For the plan to succeed, communities will have to heed the call, and effect change in their own schools.

Source of the story: SABC news site. Find news in a flash on www.
sabcnews.mobi

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