LITERACY

According to the 2030 Reading Panel, basic literacy among South African children is declining – approximately 82% of children don’t learn to read for meaning by the age of 10. According to the African Library Project, sub-Saharan Africa has the highest number of illiterate youth: more than one in three adults cannot read.  

High literacy rates are essential for economic growth, poverty reduction, and democratic participation. Companies can address the challenge through initiatives that include: 

• – Partnering with schools and educational nonprofits. 
• – Funding evidence-based reading programmes. 
• – Supporting teacher training and development.  
• – Providing digital learning resources and technology. 
• – Creating workplace literacy programmes for employees and communities. 
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This topic explores how companies can partner with other stakeholders to improve literacy outcomes in South Africa, throughout Africa and globally.