South Africa’s education system has suffered significant setbacks due to the Covid-19 pandemic, as highlighted by the recently released 2021 Progress in International Reading and Literacy Study (PIRLS) results.
The country’s average PIRLS score plummeted from 320 in 2016 to 288 in 2021, indicating a substantial decline of 32 points. However, there is a glimmer of hope in the Western Cape, which achieved the highest score of 363, surpassing the national average by a staggering 75 points. Recognizing the urgent need to address these learning losses, the Western Cape has taken decisive action. They have implemented the Western Cape Reading Strategy, an initiative aimed at strengthening reading performance across all grade levels. In the 2022/23 financial year, an allocation of R118 million has been made for a Foundation Phase reading program in three languages. This program includes training, the distribution of decodable readers, and anthologies for Grades 1 to 3.
Furthermore, an additional allocation of R288 million over the next three financial years has been made to enhance this existing support. Another key measure taken by the Western Cape is the decision to allocate an extra two hours per week for reading within the school day during the 3rd and 4th terms of 2022. The PIRLS results unequivocally indicate that the pandemic has undone years of educational progress, jeopardizing the futures of the youngest learners. To combat this dire situation, the Western Cape is investing an additional R1.2 billion into the #BackOnTrack program over the next three years. This program aims to improve learning outcomes across all phases, ensuring a brighter future for the children in the Western Cape.Targeted support will be provided to 333 selected schools based on systemic test results, in addition to the 1,100 schools already receiving extra assistance in the Foundation Phase since 2022.
This support will benefit approximately 126,000 learners, 8,980 teachers, and 28,000 parents, in addition to the existing participation of 310,000 learners and 10,000 teachers in the Foundation Phase.“The collective efforts of all stakeholders are crucial in getting our children #BackOnTrack. Let us unite in prioritizing education and working towards a better future for the youth.”
