1. The Masifunde Maqela Reading Project supports the Western Cape Education Department (WCED)’s Literacy and Numeracy Strategy by providing sets of reading books for Grades 4 to 7. Schools in the lower socio-economic quintiles will receive one pack containing 16 sets of graded readers per class for Grades 4 to 7. Schools in the top quintile may select one sample pack at any one of the grade levels available. The WCED is funding this initiative
2. Packs of books are available in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa, or in a combination of these languages, in order to support the developing of mother tongue teaching, which has proved to be the most successful method of teaching learners from Grades R to 6.
3. Each school will also receive a DVD in which the group reading method is illustrated, as well as a manual on how to implement group- and guided reading in Grades 4 to 7 classrooms.
4. Publishers have been contracted to provide a three-hour training session. They will contact the schools allocated to them to arrange the training sessions to be held between October 2006 and February 2007.
5. Teachers may introduce group reading during language lessons or during the compulsory daily Reading Half-hour.
6. The reading packs will be on display at certain venues and teachers are invited to select their own reading packs to ensure they receive a pack that is appropriate to the average reading level of their learners. EMDC support staff and NGOs are welcome to view the books with the teachers and to offer advice to teachers on appropriate selection. Ms V Kohler and Ms N Dodgen will also be at all book display venues to assist teachers. The dates, times and venues for viewing are given below. Teachers may attend any book display session they wish.
DateView between these timesVenue of book display
(Attend any session you wish.)
Mon, 11 Sept13:00 – 17:00Sports Hall, next to Cape Teaching Institute (CTI), Nooiensfontein Rd, Kuils River
Tues, 12 Sept13:00 – 17:00Sports Hall, next to Cape Teaching Institute (CTI), Nooiensfontein Rd, Kuils River
Wed, 13 Sept13:00 – 17:00Sports Hall, next to Cape Teaching Institute (CTI), Nooiensfontein Rd, Kuils River
Thurs, 14 Sept13:00 – 17:00Oudtshoorn Teachers’ Centre, Vrede Street
Fri, 15 Sept13:00 – 17:00EMDC, Room 403, George
Mon, 18 Sept13:00 – 17:00Augsburg Landbou Gimnasium, Clanwilliam
Tues, 19 Sept13:00 – 17:00Swartberg Secondary School, 10 Koalisie Street, Caledon 7230
Wed, 20 Sept13:00 – 17:00Worcester East Primary School, Sutherland Street, Worcester
7. Requisition forms will be available at the book displays. All requisitions should be signed by the school principal. However, teachers may bring a letter, signed by the principal and stamped with the school stamp, authorising the teacher(s) to make the selection on behalf of the school.
8. Where a school is unable to send a representative to make the selection, appropriate packs of books will be selected for the school based on the literacy level attained by the school in the Grade 3 and Grade 6 WCED literacy tests.
9. All requisitions for this project must be submitted by 22 September 2006. The WCED will not pay for any requisitions submitted after that date.
10. The reading packs will be delivered by 25 January 2007.
11. Any enquiries regarding the Masifunde Maqela Reading Project must be directed to Ms Zandile Ntombela at telephone number 021 467 9334.
12. Research shows that there are three requirements for good literacy:
(i) Competent and committed teachers

(ii) Adequate and appropriate reading material

(iii) Extended opportunities for reading

This project is intended to support these requirements by offering training and support for teachers, and additional reading material for use during language teaching time, during the Reading Half-hour and even when learners are at home.
13. The WCED wishes to thank all teachers and principals who have rallied to the call to improve the literacy levels of the children in our schools and trusts that this project will make their task a little easier.


SIGNED: J.P. RAULT-SMITH
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2006:09:11