The National Reading Coalition continue to drive reading through social platforms and Collaboration with Stakeholders

In January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of a new coronavirus disease in Wuhan (China) to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. WHO stated there is a high risk of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spreading to other countries around the world including South Africa?

Honourable President Mr Cyril Ramaphosa has as a result declared a country-wide lockdown over a 21-day period which has now been extended by 14 days. He made a call to all sections of our society – including NGOs and education institutions – to play a role in stopping the spread of the virus.

Despite this challenge, the journey of education and reading cannot be brought to a standstill. We need to open ourselves up to new ways of engagement. The National Reading Coalition(NRC), a reading revolution established by the National Education Collaboration Trust (NECT) and the Department of Basic Education is continuing with its effort of driving the reading improvement, through social platforms to encourage learners and adults to read to understand the virus; read for enjoyment; engagement and foster a much needed reading culture in the country.

Thus far, NRC team in the North West have created WhatsApp groups with recruited local volunteers, Circuit Managers, Subject Advisor, Principals and Teachers and Pastors to convey messages of support to parents on how they can play a role to help their learners with reading during this lock down period. Church leaders , Circuit Managers and Subject Advisors  have embraced NRC by participating in sharing video clips that encourage adults to read since adults too should lead by example to their children by not only reading the bible but reading other books as well. The NRC team in the North West will continue to convey reading materials and website links from other reading initiatives to parents via circuit managers and principals WhatsApp groups.

The National Reading Coalition joined the whole word through media other social platforms in participating in the world book day on the 23rd April 2020.

For more information on how to access further reading materials, please contact Mr George Taodzera (NECT North West Provincial Programme Manager) on 079 368 0612