Potential models of intervention
Companies can invest in literacy in several ways, from interventions in foundational learning and teacher training to improving school attendance rates and fostering adult literacy.
Understanding the global literacy challenge
Many young people lack the foundational learning needed to succeed in school and build a rewarding career. Literacy improves cognitive development and school readiness, leading to better educational outcomes and greater economic benefits for society.
Mother-tongue education
Many interventions have been shown to improve literacy, and most are relatively easy to implement. For example, 220 million children worldwide are taught to read in a language other than their mother tongue. However, if they have the resources to read and write in their home languages, their comprehension and confidence improve.
Learners need home-language instructional materials, bilingual education support, culturally relevant reading resources, and community-based language-preservation initiatives to improve.
Investing in adult literacy
A further enabler is growing up in a literate household – however, Save the Children estimates that the majority of the 48 million children starting school in African countries come from homes where adults do not read or write. It is therefore crucial to invest in adult literacy.
Initiatives may include parent education programmes, workplace literacy training, supporting community learning centres, and providing digital literacy tools.
Classroom interventions
Investing in education is a key enabler. There is ample evidence that investing in early childhood development (ECD) yields multiple dividends, yet the sector often relies on philanthropy to scale and improve the quality of education. Another useful intervention is teacher development, which has been found to improve early literacy.
Refining teaching methods and providing complementary materials, such as workbooks and storybooks, leads to literacy gains among students. However, classrooms still face barriers such as overcrowding, teacher absenteeism, a lack of textbooks and other reading materials, and education policies that do not prioritise literacy.
Companies can consider supporting schools with professional development programmes, and assessment and monitoring skills to improve such programmes.
Taking action
Companies can make a measurable difference by directly funding literacy programmes, supporting teacher training initiatives, partnering with schools, and investing in educational technology (EdTech).
They should consider coordinating their efforts with other companies, government departments, nonprofit organisations, and donors to reverse a worrying trend of declining literacy in South Africa.
