Only one (1) in four (4) grade 4s CAN read for meaning in any language. Reading for meaning implies that learners can focus on discussing and understanding what they are reading, not just pronouncing the words correctly. This is according to 2030 Reading Panel lead by by former deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka (https://www.readingpanel.co.za/.)
The COVID19 pandemic and lockdown regulations had a negative impact that 10 year old’s in 2021 knew less than 9 years old before the pandemic. Access to reading material is hard to come by. Grade 1-3s in no fees school have access typically to only one reading resources which is their workbook. The panel recommends standard set of reading resources to all foundation phase. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that 45% of current teaching staff will be eligible for retirement in 10 years.
Economics and Finance SA 