The Western Cape Education Department has developed a comprehensive strategy to address problems of literacy and numeracy in schools in the Western Cape. Research undertaken for the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy shows that lack of reading material and large classes pose serious problems for teachers. The research also indicates that if teachers in the Intermediate Phase do not teach reading, the levels of literacy drop in relation to expected performance levels between Grade 3 and Grade 6.

The Masifunde Maqela Reading Project is a response to these challenges. The project provides teachers in Grades 4 to 7 with a set of reading materials. Public schools in the lower 4 provincial quintiles are being provided with one set of books per classroom, while a single sample set will be sent to quintile 5 schools. The Project also recommends a particular method for the teaching of reading; it allows learners to work in small co-operative groups within a large class, reading books at an appropriate level and engaging with the material that they are reading.

Various approaches must be used in the teaching of reading. These approaches include phonics, sight word, linguistic, whole language and language experience. However, given the differentiated reading levels and the fact that many Intermediate Phase teachers have not been trained to teach reading and have to teach learners who do not cope at those grade levels, an intervention strategy of guided reading is being introduced. Every classroom and context is different, so this is not a prescriptive approach - it is a guide to ensure that good use is made of the reading material in the Literacy Half-hour.

Support for teachers to manage the reading challenge is available:

Orientation for teachers in the guided reading strategy will be provided at each school by publishers in a 3-hour afternoon session in the first term. Designated publishers will contact schools to arrange these sessions.

A training manual has been developed and a DVD has been cut to support teachers who may not have been trained to teach reading. Both the manual and the DVD provide clear, step-by-step guidance on how to guide reading in a classroom.

Specialised Education support staff at schools and curriculum officials are being orientated by the WCED to support schools to implement and sustain the guided reading programme.

Foundation Phase teachers could also be asked for assistance in the teaching of reading.

Principals are requested to familiarise themselves with the Masifunde Maqela Reading Project resources and training. Active participation by the principal in the afternoon training session will provide guidance and support in dealing with reading challenges and the raising of literacy levels. The principal's leadership is a critical factor in improving literacy and numeracy.