Literacy Development Beyond the Classroom
an initiative of the safest place on earth
The Storytime initiative is just one of the ways through which The Safest Place on Earth envisions improving literacy in South Africa, and globally.
We believe that Storytime can become a powerful platform for increasing literacy. It does sound like a monumental task but we know that monumental tasks can be accomplished one bite at a time.
Therefore, I am inviting all school students (Grades 1-12) to submit their fictional (not true) or non-fiction (true) story or poem to Storytime. Through this process, we are hoping to achieve an improvement in writing skills, reading skills, critical thinking skills, and speaking skills. We believe that the improvement of these skills will result in societal renewal and the development of astute citizens and capable leaders.
Vision. Mission. Goals.
Vision
Our vision is to create astute readers and writers, thinkers, and speakers.
Mission
We will do this by increasing the level of literacy among children, and everyone who wants to read, write, think, and speak well.
Goals
1. Learners become skilful writers
2. Learners become avid readers
3. Learners become critical thinkers
4. Learners become articulate speakers
Meet the Team
Bachelor of Arts (North-West University)
Honors Bachelor of Arts (North-West University)
Master of Education (Clarks Summit University)
Certificate (World TESOL Academy, ETQC Accredited)
Certificate (Instructional Design for eLearning, UDEMY)
Join the Team
Find out how you can be part of this great initiative
why storytime
the literacy problem
These literacy statistics are from the Progress in International Literacy Study (PIRLS) 2021. From the 57 schools that participated worldwide, South Africa featured last. Yes, 57th! Since PIRLS 2016, South Africa's literacy level dropped from approx. 60% to a pitiful 81%
8 out of every 10 Grade 4 learners (10 in South Africa cannot read or write for meaning. That's an alarming 81% of Grade 4 learners.
South African Minister of Education, Angie Motshekga has a staggering budget of R280m for Basic Education.
The solution
There is hope!
With the literacy development initiative called StoryTime we are hoping to improve the literacy quality of our South African children. Our vision with Story Time "is to create astute readers, writers, speakers, and thinkers"
Yes, the task ahead is monumental but we believe that with an initiative like Story Time, we CAN improve literacy.
An education expert, Professor Mary Metcalfe says, "fixing this national literacy crisis will take time and hard work...Change depends on accessing the energy of all those who can create and unblock blockages and build a coalition for change."
“Being able to read is the key to academic and future success,” says Celeste Combrinck, Acting Director at UP’s Centre for Evaluation and Assessment (CEA). “If you can't read, your opportunities in school or after that will be limited, so reading ability should be developed from a very young age.”
Story Time is an initiative conceived by the literacy crisis in South Africa and we hope it gives birth to a brighter dawn for our children.
social justice
What is social justice?
According to UNICEF (2017), “Around 250 million children of primary school age lack basic literacy or numeracy. And yet, an estimated 1 billion young people will enter the workforce in the next decade. Only 1 in 10 of them, in low-income countries, is likely to have the skills to succeed in the global economy.”
In a paper that I wrote entitled, "A Social Justice Intervention to Education in South Africa – A student-centred Framework for Education", using documents from UNICEF, excerpts from the 1996 White Paper on Education and Training, the South African Constitution, and high court rulings in landmark cases, I argue for social justice in education.
South Africa may boast about it's the increase in matric pass rate, but we have deceived ourselves into believing that a 30% pass rate is good enough.
Is it good enough? Are you satisfied with just 30% for your child?
Social justice in education is about giving our children the best possible education we can give them.
Story Time is an initiative to augment other literacy programmes so that your child's literacy development potential is maximized.
CAPS aligned
StoryTime stands in alignment with South Africa's Curriculum Assessment Policy (CAPS). What does this mean? It means that instead of giving the learner (participant) opportunities to submit random stories or poems, the learner will follow submission themes that would be closely matched to the Department of Basic Education (DBE) student workbooks.
The rationale is that through StoryTime, students (participants) are given growth opportunities outside the classroom, while at the same time being incentivized.
assess your child
Do you know the literacy level of your child? We are here to guide you and your child to reach literacy proficiency at the level he or she should be at. We will test your child’s Letter Naming Fluency, Phonetic Segmentation Fluency, Nonsense Word Fluency,
Word Reading Fluency, and Oral Reading Fluency. The literacy assessment will test your child’s reading and reading comprehension proficiency.
Based on the outcome of the assessment we will provide you with the help necessary to bring your child up to the level he or she should be. This early intervention for your child is one of the most important steps you will be taking to ensure that your child is able to handle all his or her subjects with confidence.
The solution will vary from child to child, but this is the first and essential step that you must take to bring your child to his or her age group and grade level literacy proficiency.
Contact us today to book your child's assessment!
contact us
The Safest Place on Earth is a registered NPO with South Africa's Department of Social Development - 243-327 NPO