Working against racial inequality and poverty, Room to Read South Africa offers a comprehensive Literacy Program that combines home-language classroom instruction with high-functioning libraries. We partner with the Department of Basic Education, schools and communities to make a lasting impact.

 


Room to Read first implemented our Literacy Program in South Africa in 2006. Working against racial inequality and poverty, we partnered with South Africa’s Department of Basic Education to ensure the success and sustainability of our Literacy Program. Our program aligns with the country’s needs and the government’s focus on teacher training, instruction techniques, assessments and reading materials. 

We’ve designed our Literacy Program with an understanding of what is needed to create long-term gains: a focus on cultivating a love of reading, effective reading materials and explicit instructions for librarians. Our program design is also built to scale, leading to sustainable change in literacy instruction in early grades. In the long term, our goal is for every child to have access to the quality education they deserve, and we know that literacy is the foundation for all other learning throughout their lives.  

The South African government recognizes the caliber of our multi-layered approach to literacy, which currently includes providing grade 1 and 2 teachers with the skills and support they need to teach children to read and write in their home language, filling libraries with quality, diverse and inclusive book collections, and sharing structured curricular materials in schools across the country. This recognition has afforded us unique credibility as an education organization in South Africa, allowing us to expand our work into new schools and provinces.

The Latest from South Africa

Fostering literacy and gender equality across the globe: updates from Room to Read’s programs

Fostering literacy and gender equality across the globe: updates from Room to Read’s programs


Skill building, Bangladesh

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Room to Read Reading Champions South Africa

Reading Champions: scaling Room to Read’s library approach to nurture a strong culture of reading in South Africa


Skill building, South Africa

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Partnerships pave the way: scaling Room to Read’s library model

Partnerships pave the way: scaling Room to Read’s library model


Skill building, Cambodia

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IMC annual trading gaming day benefits room to read

IMC’s annual Trading & Gaming Day for Charity raises funds to support children with foundational literacy skills


Community, Tanzania

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International Mother Language Day: Being a Part of the Story

International Mother Language Day: Being a part of the story


Content and curriculum, South Africa

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Setting the course for 2023: Room to Read's 2022 Country Management Conference

Setting the course for 2023: Room to Read's 2022 Country Management Conference


Community, South Africa

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Creating a world of lifelong learners: updates from across the globe

Creating a world of lifelong learners: Room to Read updates from across the globe


Skill building, Bangladesh

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