What is READ ? READ is an NGO established in Mission statement: To help people throughout South Africa to develop their reading, writing, learning, information and communication skills so that they can become lifelong learners.

How does READ work towards this? Resource provision to primary and high schools in the form of books. Training courses for teachers and principals in the use of books. Monitoring and mentoring in classrooms to help teachers and learners use the books effectively

Why do we supply books? Elly 1992: Young children exposed to books learn to read faster and with increased ease Beard; Krashen; BSC: Reading achievement is linked to the availability of books in the classroom Elly and Mangubai: Language development in an additional language and achievement in all subjects is enhanced by book provision

Collections supplied Began by supplying central libraries to primary and high schools. Moved on to supplying classroom libraries to supplement the library programme. Moved on to supplying classroom library collections that form a book-based language and literacy programme

Why did did we move to core programmes? Research on book-based programmes from New Zealand and Australia. Findings that levels of reading ability in South African classrooms differ by up to four years. Needs of new Outcomes Based Curriculum. Readability of some textbooks. Motivational aspect of supplying books.

Why do book-based programmes work? More reading takes place. Books put all language and literacy learning in context. Books are also ideal for the development of critical thinking and related skills. Knowledge of the world is broadened.

In addition the books can be supplied... At different levels (inclusivity) In different languages In different formats e.g. Big Books For different purposes For different classroom methodologies e.g. for reading aloud, group reading, independent reading.

What are our findings? Learning for Living Project: (957 schools, teachers, 1 million learners): Significant gains in reading, writing and numeracy % more learners passed Grade 5-7. Transkei Project: 2-3 gains in reading years; 3-4 gains in writing years. Cost: R55 per child per year.

Keeping costs down Bulk buying, especially for larger projects Buying from local publishers Producing own materials Exploiting the potential of every book Supplying collections of books instead of textbooks

Conclusion More books published in indigenous languages More original South African material Better deals for bulk purchasing Good quality books last for 5 years

Conclusion contd. Additional training in book selection for DO’s, teachers, principals Access to books to be purchased could be improved