Issued by: GCIS
The 21st century brings along many challenges to the developing countries, particularly to Africa. The next century will only be an African century if society starts to rid itself of illiteracy immediately. Our challenge is to ensure that no adult and youth should be illiterate in the 21st century. However, there remains a danger that millions will be illiterate unless we mobilise a social movement to ensure access to reading, writing and numeracy to those who do not have it.
Many of our parents have never had an opportunity to access any formal learning due to the policies of the Apartheid system. The lifelong learning and development approach by government will give them an opportunity to access knowledge skills and attitudes, required for social, economic and political participation. We need to view the literacy campaign as part of the process to build a better life for all South Africans.
Through Adult Based Education Training (ABET) programmes, we offer opportunities to enable learners to advance their careers through access to formal education programmes that lead to a general education and training certificate. This builds a foundation for further and continuing education linked to specific employment opportunities as well as addressing the learners development needs.
The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) has earmarked R53 million for ABET (including illiteracy programmes) for the 1999/2000 financial year. Of this almost all goes to 44 state institutions, including 160 satellite centres, run by the GDE. The Provincial Government has employed more than 3000 adult educators who service 52 000 learners, primarily through evening classes.
The NGO's and CBO's, business and all sectors of society also renders various services on literacy. Our continued cooperation and integrated planning would only ensure that our efforts are doubled and more effective in our quest to rid our society of illiteracy. These partnerships will have to be strengthened to safeguard the survival of an african child in the 21st century.
It should be the duty of every citizen to ensure that everyone can read and write. It is not a sin not to be able to write, but society must make it a sin to deny oneself an opportunity to learn to read and write. Every literate person must make it his/her responsibility to fight illiteracy.
For Further details please contact
Lebelo Maloka - 082 902 9880 / 011 355 1509
9 September 1999