By Levy Mssiteng
The government has welcomed the country’s ranking as the second most literate nation in Africa, with an adult literacy rate of 95%.
Acting government spokesperson Nomonde Mnukwa said the research measured literacy based on the percentage of South Africans aged 15 and above who could read and write.
“This remarkable achievement stands as a testament to the effectiveness of the government’s progressive education policies and programmes implemented since the advent of democracy in 1994.”
She said the key factors contributing to this success included progressive education policies, teacher development and Early Childhood Development (ECD).
“These initiatives are underpinned by strategies focused on teacher development, access to quality learning materials and cultivating a culture of reading from an early age,” Mnukwa said.
“In the 7th administration, government continues to prioritise literacy development in the foundational years of education.”
The government expressed its appreciation for the hard work of previous education ministers, including Angie Motshekga, and wished the current Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, success in continuing to improve foundational education and expand the teaching of indigenous languages.
“Government takes pride in this achievement and is committed to addressing remaining gaps and accelerating efforts toward achieving universal literacy.”
According to the latest findings from Intelpoint, Seychelles tops the list at 95.9%, and Sao Tome and Principe are third at 94.8%.
INSIDE EDUCATION
