Vootrekker High finds the fun in reading

Voortrekker High School in Kenilworth held a 12-hour read-a-thon on Tuesday for World Book Day.

The school received book donations from Wynberg library, the provincial libraries services and the public for the read-a-thon, which ran from 6am to 6pm.

“We wanted to create awareness around literacy and reading which is a problem in the country,” said teacher Abdullah Isaacs, who helped to coordinate the read-a-thon. “We also wanted to show how reading can be fun.”

About 90 pupils, teachers and visitors to the school signed up for the read-a-thon and took part in the 30-minute reading sessions.

Wynberg library principal librarian Nadia Ismail said two staff from the library held a programme at the school to help pupils who struggled with reading.

“It's a wonderful initiative that creates enthusiasm for reading. Reading should be fun and not only for academic success,” she said.

The school’s head girl, Mariam Cortereal, said: “I am so glad to see my fellow pupils participating and reading and it gives them more exposure to books,” she says.

Voortrekker High principal Nalanie Paul added: “Wynberg library has been very helpful in supporting our reading programme, and when we did our school analysis in reading, we realised we had to improve reading as pupils did not clearly understand how to read questions and do assessments.”

Mr Isaacs said he hoped the read-a-thon would become an annual event.