Technology can never replace what a pupil gains through reading — mental acumen, creativity, spelling, grammar and proper writing skills, says the headmistress of a school which was just awarded 500 books worth R57,000.
George Randell Primary school’s Verushka Packery was commenting after they were selected as one of the beneficiaries of the 2025 AVBOB Road to Literacy Campaign, presented in partnership with Oxford University Press Southern Africa (OUPSA).
The school will receive a trolley library stocked with 500 CAPS-aligned books to boost reading and learning among pupils.
Principal Packery said: “We were thrilled and absolutely grateful to be so lucky.
“This means we can enhance and supplement our reading schemes, as well as introduce the mobile library as a fun and innovative way to excite learners and build a love for reading.”
Packery said the school’s ethos of smiles and vibrancy shines through in its pupils, who proudly represent George Randell in academics, sport and culture. The new trolley library will be integrated into the school’s existing reading campaigns and “Reading Champs” activities.
“Pupils today are overexposed to cellphones, which have replaced the joy and love for literature. But technology can never replace what a pupil gains through reading,” Packery said.
The school runs several reading-based initiatives — World Book Day, Reading Relays, Reading Champ Days, and from next year, a new ‘Drop All and Read’ daily programme.
“We have a school library with sufficient resources, but one can never have enough especially for reading.
“This donation will greatly and powerfully integrate into other learning areas too,” she said.
Packery praised the role of parents and community members in supporting education, and thanked former parent Ayanda Kalipa, who nominated George Randell Primary for the campaign.
“We are grateful to our ex-parent for a simple gesture with a powerful impact. Parents must always find ways to empower schools, because this is where the greatest impact is made.
“Education is the most powerful weapon, it starts in your child’s school.
“It’s the place where dreams are born,” she said.
Kalipa said she was motivated by her family’s deep connection with the school.
“What inspired me to nominate George Randell Primary was the mere fact that all of my children attended the school,” she said. “My daughter who still attends, loves reading at home and that has helped her with her vocabulary and spelling.”
Kalipa, whose eldest child is now at university and her second in high school, said the school’s legacy of excellence continues to shine.
“George Randell has always produced top achievers and built a stable foundation for our children. It’s easy to spot a ‘Georgie’ by how they conduct themselves, their ability to articulate and their work ethic,” she said.
“These campaigns are important, especially in rural and township schools. Apart from prescribed textbooks, many children have no access to extra books to read in their spare time. That makes a huge difference, they learn more, improve spelling and discover new interests,” she said.
Kalipa said the new trolley library would make it easier for pupils and teachers to access books and support classroom learning.
“Parents and community members can help by donating old books that are still in good condition to nearby schools.
“Reading builds a strong foundation for young children,” she said.
“I hope more children will fall in love with reading and that the trolley library will have a lasting positive impact on all the Georgies.”
Packery thanked AVBOB and Oxford University Press for their generous contribution.
“Thank you, AVBOB, for this amazing and powerful gift that will benefit a community of children for years to come.
“We’ll be sharing the joy with our pupils every day and using it creatively to strengthen the love for reading,” she said.
The school aims to use the donation to improve literacy levels and ensure that every learner’s reading journey contributes to raising SA’s literacy standards.
“Our goal is to improve pupils’ reading scores and ensure this programme changes lives, improves literacy rates, and uplifts SA in the international literacy arena,” Packery said.
