Africa Print Journal FEBRUARY / MARCH | Page 13

INDUSTRY NEWS Education Department And Novus Holdings Partner To Improve Literacy Research conducted by the University of Pretoria has revealed that an alarmingly high rate of grade 4 South African pupils still cannot read at an appropriate level. The research also showed that South African children scored last out of 50 countries for reading. In light of this, the Department of Basic Education has joined hands with Novus Holdings to improve literacy levels across South Africa in the Read to Lead campaign. The initiative includes the donation of mobile libraries at schools across the country, the latest of which was opened at Bonteheuwel High School, Cape Town. ‘We are extremely proud to have fi ve new stunning mobile libraries, thanks to Novus Holdings and the department of basic education. We are certain that the learners will benefi t from the initiative this year,’ said Nicola Pather, principal of Bonteheuwel High School. The mobile libraries can be wheeled from one classroom to another, making them easily accessible to all learners, ‘We believe that access to reading material is fundamental to improving literacy. We hope that by launching these libraries, learners at Bonteheuwel High School will be inspired to make 2018 a year of reading,’ said Mike Ehret, group executive for government and business development at Novus Holdings. Research has proven that access to libraries improves learner performance and increases their chances of success. It has also been shown that learners who read for pleasure are on average one and a half grades ahead of their peers. ‘Interestingly, book sales globally have increased. But, we need to do more to foster a culture of reading among the youth, not only at school, but also at home, so that children will learn to love reading. We need to encourage giving books as gifts, for example,’ said Ehret. To date more than 20 mobile libraries DO YOU NEED TO PRINT FASTER? Could slow printing be impacting your productivity? Will printing 8 A1 pages per minute change your life? have been donated to schools across KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and the Western Cape. The roll-out of the libraries to the benefi ciary schools was coordinated and managed by Ahmed Motala of the New Africa Education Foundation, an NPO that has partnered with Novus Holdings Ltd and the Department of Basic Education. www.novus.holdings www.AfricaPrint.com PG 13