February 5 saw voices across the world unite for World Read Aloud Day, a celebration of storytelling that reminds us of the magic hidden in words. In classrooms across the city, pupils were gathered, dressed up as their favourite fictional friend to read the stories they love most while also improving their literacy and comprehension skills.
For pupils at Laerskool Kuswag Primary School and St Joseph’s Preparatory and College, it was a special day that even some parents joined in on. Pupils were read to but also given a chance to read themselves to their peers and parents.
World Read Aloud Day isn’t just about books; it’s about addressing declining comprehension skills among pupils, which threaten their ability to think critically and engage with the world.
Reading aloud helps build vocabulary, improves listening skills, and fosters a deeper understanding of language, making it a powerful tool to bridge literacy gaps, especially as, in 2021 it was found that 81% of SA children cannot read for comprehension in any of the 11 official languages.
