[ Home ] [ Speeches & statements ]

23 September 2008

"Enhancing and improving literacy skills of our learners must be recognised as a decisive weapon in the fight against poverty, unemployment and the resultant social and environment challenges that are prevalent in our communities," said Gauteng Education Member of Education Council (MEC), Angelina Motshekga.

Addressing stakeholders during the Accelerated Programme for Language, Literacy and Communication (APLLC) fundraising breakfast held at Sandton convention centre on 23 September 2008, MEC Motshekga also emphasised the need to produce literate citizens who will be "a formidable force in the continued battle to improve quality of lives of our people to fight poverty, to alleviate the scourge of HIV/AIDS, contribute to the reduction of crime and contribute to the creation of a skilled workforce."

Also in attendance were business representatives from various industries and institutions including telecommunications, construction, banking, education, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and non profit organisations.

The purpose of the meeting was to encourage all stakeholders to support the Accelerated Programme for Language, Literacy and Communication (APLLC). Launched in October 2006, the project aims to improve the literacy standards of learners and to empower teachers with necessary teaching skills and methodology.

The project will focus on accelerating the "listening, speaking, reading, writing and comprehension skills of the learners through an in service teacher training, mentoring and monitoring programme".

The APLLC is a result of partnership between the Gauteng Department of Education, READ Education Trust, EDCON and other stakeholders. The project prioritises the poorest schools, the physically disabled learners, visually impaired and the mentally challenged, according to Lizelle Langford of READ Education Trust.

"As government we realise the absolute necessity for public private partnerships and are indeed most grateful for the commitment that continues to be prevalent amongst our partners in education," said MEC Motshekga.

The Gauteng Department of Education allocated over R200 million for the implementation of APLLC over a period of four years (2008 to 2011). MEC Motshekga said the department would continue to strive towards expanding the stakeholders in order to increase direct investment in APLLC project.

"One of our triumphs in this regard has been the successful partnership forged with stakeholders in the implementation of the APLLC project," she added.

According to Langford, the pilot implementation of the project was successful and between 60 and 70% of learners reached the learning outcomes.

She said that their partnership with EDCON produced essential study material, including a series of nine books and numerous DVDs. The learning materials were distributed to selected schools and teachers in the province.

The new teaching methodologies applied in APLLC project are flexible and make it easier for learners to interact with teachers, said Langford. "We realised that language is very important in learning and teaching," added Langford.

She said they had introduced the balanced language methodology to ensure that learners were taught in the language they understood better. She said that they also wanted to ensure that learners could read and write in their home language. However, the availability of resources remains a challenge, especially the production of material in African languages, she added.

MEC Motshekga applauded the efforts of all stakeholders involved in the project saying their commitment to education revealed their belief in "investing our young people, and the future of (our) prosperous society".

She appealed for continued support from all stakeholders.

Issued by: Office of the Premier, Gauteng Provincial Government
23 September 2008
Source: Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.gpg.gov.za)