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4 July 2006: No 37/06

LITERACY WEEK FROM 4 TO 8 SEPTEMBER 2006

RATIONALE

Raising standards of literacy has become the key issue for education nationwide.

In this regard, the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) presents a Literacy Week annually as part of the broader strategy to improve the literacy skills of learners in the province.

The Literacy Week project is a GDE ongoing effort to involve learners, teachers and schools in recognising the importance of reading, writing and literacy.

The Literacy Week will afford the learners an opportunity to focus attention on literacy issues and demonstrate their commitment to achieve the learning outcomes with regard to languages.

OBJECTIVES

The Literacy Week celebration is aimed at:

• Showcasing the efforts that learners are undertaking in improving literacy skills.
• Raising awareness of the importance of all learners developing effective literacy skills.
• Building on the national initiatives to improve literacy standards among learners.
• Promoting good practice in literacy instruction.

THEME

The theme of the 2006 celebration is “Indigenous Knowledge System” (IKS) and the topic is “Culture”.

This topic will afford learners an opportunity to explore the diversity of our cultural heritage in our society.

Culture means different things to different people: clothing, food, values, beliefs, music and dance, material things, language, art, the medicine or healing practices, shared history, kinship system, stories, hairstyles, economic systems etc peculiar to a group of people.

The affirmation of indigenous knowledge systems is a core to affirming the dignity, respect, worth and equality of all people.

This theme should in no way be interpreted as an attempt to exclude or undermine learners from cultures other than the indigenous cultures of South Africa.

DATES FOR THE CELEBRATION

The celebration will take place from 4 to 8 September 2006 and will coincide with the International Literacy Day on the 8th September 2006.

Services and Divisions are encouraged to initiate activities to raise the awareness of literacy.

Special emphasis should be given to Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) and Further Education and Training (FET).

Any enquiries in this regard may be forwarded to Brig Gen J.J. Smit, Director Education, Training and Development, CD HR Development, tel (012) 355 5000.