Inspiring a culture of reading in primary schools

AVBOB and Oxford University Press is calling for South Africans to nominate schools which will be eligible to receive one of 260 trolley libraries equipped with books written in one South African language. Nominations close on the 14th of April.

AVBOB and the Oxford University Press will be launching Year two of the AVBOB Road to Literary Trolley Library campaign.

The campaign aims to instill a culture of reading and contribute to improving numeracy skills of primary schools in South Africa.

The campaign will give away 260 trolley libraries equipped with books donated by Oxford University Press Southern Africa, representing 11 official South African languages, numeracy books and other learning resources, to deserving primary schools and education non-profit organisations (NPOs).

Kebo Mosweusweu, AVBOB General Manager of Shared Value and Sustainability highlighted that this year’s campaign included books written in the mother tongue of South African learners.

“Teaching in a mother tongue language helps to reduce dropout rates and makes education more accessible and engaging for learners. Through this year’s campaign, we aim to further reinforce our commitment to instilling a love of reading to primary school learners, nationally,” said Mosweusweu.

Hanri Pieterse, Managing Director of Oxford University Press Southern Africa said a good reader needs a developed written vocabulary to read with meaning.

“This is why a child must learn how to read in their mother tongue. When they do, they develop this written vocabulary more easily as the words they read match the words they hear and speak”.

Oxford University Press Southern Africa is South Africa’s leading literacy publisher and has donated 130 000 books in all 11 official languages for this campaign.

In 2022, 180 trolley libraries were given to the nominated recipients and in 2023 that number has increased by 80 to 260 trolley libraries. The trolley libraries are sturdy structures, fitted with wheels, used to store the books which are being manufactured by AVBOB Industries in Bloemfontein.

Last year, each trolley library was equipped with 430 books whereas in 2023, each trolley will be delivered with 500 books. Each AVBOB Road to Literacy trolley library has a value of R50 000. The total investment value for 2023 competition is R13 million, which is an increase from R10 million in 2022.

How to nominate a school?

Calls for nominations for this year’s campaign will open on 01 March and close on the 14th of April. The public are encouraged to take part in this initiative by submitting electronic nominations, as to why their choice of school or educational NPO deserves to win a trolley library equipped with books.

To nominate a school or an educational NPO, the nominator must include the desired language for the library so that the winners can receive books in their preferred language. Nominators can nominate deserving primary schools or educational NPOs who serve learners in Grade R – 7. The annual South African Library Week will be celebrated 20 - 26 March 2023 under the theme; Libraries: telling powerful stories. – SAnews.gov.za

Please visit: https://clickme1.zero-data.co.za/RTL_PR to nominate your chosen beneficiary. #salw2023 #powerfullibrarystories