SPARK Blue Downs High promotes reading for World Book Day

As the world celebrated  World Book and Copyright Day, educators at SPARK Blue Downs High are echoing a powerful call to action: a renewed focus on reading amongst students.

Principal Siyabonga Manana, an advocate for literacy, seeks to inspire both fun and educational reading habits within his school, responding directly to troubling statistics from the 2023 National Reading Survey that revealed 25% of South Africans have no books and more than 63% lack any fiction or nonfiction at home.

“Reading really does make you clever,” asserts Manana, who firmly believes that the act of reading transcends mere pleasure; it enhances basic vocabulary, improves comprehension, augments cognitive ability, and fosters critical thinking.

“Everything we do in life, from solving mathematical problems to reading a contract, needs reading skills.” He highlights the significant role educators must play in nurturing a reading culture, emphasizing the need for comfortable spaces where students can immerse themselves in literature instead of scrolling through social media.

“Not being able to read for meaning dramatically affects a scholar’s academic progress. We need to ensure that all our students are well-prepared with their reading skills to propel them into university and beyond,” he adds. To further this objective, the celebration will spotlight not only reading but also important concepts of copyright and ownership.

Manana encouraged parents to take an active role in instilling a love for reading at home. “Incentivise your child by offering a treat or reward for every book they finish. Let them choose what they want to read based on their interests, be it comic books or anime. Tailoring reading material to their personality enhances the experience,” he advises. He reassures parents that there is no right or wrong way to read; what matters is that children engage with the material and develop persistence in their reading habits.

“Confidence in reading propels a student’s ability to understand instructions, participate in discussions, and ultimately take control of their own education,” Manana emphasises, signalling the broader implications of a strong reading foundation.

To commemorate World Book and Copyright Day, SPARK Blue Downs High will hold a vibrant book drive, calling on parents to donate books for their young learners. Students will also embrace the spirit of literature by dressing up as their favourite book characters, with an anticipated array of superheroes, Pokémon, dragons, witches, and timeless characters from classics like ‘Little Women’.

In the face of alarming reading deficits among South African youth, SPARK Blue Downs High’s initiative not only aims to invigorate a passion for reading but also paves the path toward a future where every scholar is equipped with the literacy skills necessary for success. This World Book Day celebration is more than just an event; it is a vital step towards fostering a more literate and educated society.