1. National Reading Coalition
Supporting the Read to Lead Initiative

2. RAISON D'ETRE Reading is -
the basis for learning across the curriculum.
Reading increases life opportunities and contentment.
PIRLS reconfirmed low the reading competencies are.
There are many reading improvement initiatives that are unaligned
They thus come short of a national response (Gov + civil society..)
Lose the opportunity for economies of scale
Often competitive, inefficient and in some cases send counter-effective messages in the same system
Miss the opportunity to adopt proven (evidence-based) methodologies

3. VALUE PROPOSITION
The National Reading Coalition (NRC) aims to-
1. Mobilise support for and coordination of reading initiatives
Initially targeting schools and communities in 25% of the education circuits
2. Develop and advocate for a national plan that aligns and coordinates
various initiatives that support the ‘Read to Lead’ campaign
3. Establish and maintain a self-sustaining, agile ecosystem of reading
initiatives across the country, networking government and civil society
activities for reading improvement.

4. READING IMPROVEMENYT VALUE CHAIN
Reading Improvement 1.
Teacher Preparation 2.
Access Reading Resources 3.
Continuing Professional Development 4.
Community Support 5.
Policy 6.
Research

5. PROGRESS : SET UP NECT Secretariat
Profiling of reading initiatives in 25% circuits: four provinces 80% complete
Convenors and champions being identified, engaged and briefed
Steering committee established to provide guidance: Prof. J. Volmink, M Maluleke, B. Manuel, G Campbell, Prof Leketi, DBE
Continued advocacy with key players
Fundraising initiated
Seed-funding from NECT Board
Launch being planned for December
NECT
Secretariat

6. Profile of Languages in the 25% of the Limpopo Circuits
African Languages in 25% selected circuits

7. Profile of Reading Interventions in Limpopo

8. Profile: Audit of resource in Thambazimbi circuit.
Thabazimbi: One of the NRC selected circuits in Limpopo.

9. USING AUDIT INFORMATION FOR PLANNING
Ascertain the nature and scope of reading interventions currently taking place in the sampled circuits
Analyse observations based on the value chain components
Identify gaps between what exists and what is needed to address the reading challenge
Propose initiatives to support the existing initiatives and address the gaps.
Support the process of building locus of control in provinces to plan and implement joint initiatives that draw on government and non-governmental resources

10. PROGRESS PER FOCUS AREA
Engaging with the Primary Teacher Education (PrimTEd) project
Initial Teacher Preparation
Primary School Reading Improvement Programme (PSRIP) phase II and III being initiated (for next 3-4 yr)s
USAID/ EGRS initiative in the Northwest (see research component too)
Continuing Professional Development
Dialogue on increasing access to indigenous language books in planning stage
Engagement with organisations concerned with development and provision of language- and age- relevant materials
Accessing Reading Resources

11. PROGRESS PER FOCUS AREA
Engagement with reading organisations active in the area of community engagement
Community Support
Providing assistance to researchers with the development of funding proposals
EGRS and other emerging proposals being considered and how they can influence the other focus areas
Research
Continually engage with DBE to ensure effective national response
Education DialogueSA planning a conference on language policy
Policy

12. USING AUDIT INFORMATION FOR PLANNING
Ascertain the nature and scope of reading interventions currently taking place in the sampled circuits
Analyse findings based on the value chain components
Identify gaps between what exists and what is needed to address the reading challenge
Propose initiatives to address the gaps.

13. Mission

14. THANK YOU