Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
THE Edward Ndlovu Memorial Trust has established libraries at Bethel and Matshetsheni primary schools in Gwanda district and each school received about 2 000 books.
The trust is targeting to establish a micro-library at every primary school in the district that does not have a library in order to improve literacy among learners under the “Books to Go project”.
The project is being implemented by the trust through its library, the Edward Ndlovu Library funded by Book Aid International. The Books to Go project was launched at Selonga Primary School last year.
The trust conducted a two-day workshop in Gwanda District on Thursday and Friday where teachers and headmasters from Bethel and Matshetsheni Primary were trained on how to manage their libraries.
In an interview, Edward Ndlovu Memorial Trust director, Mr Michael Moyo, said the organisation was also supporting 33 primary schools in Gwanda District with books under various programmes that seek to promote literacy. He said they were also supporting nine secondary schools in the district.
Mr Moyo said schools that will receive books under the Books to Go project will operate as cluster libraries to benefit surrounding schools.
“We launched the Books to Go project last year where we handed over 2 000 books to Selonga Primary School. We have now extended the programme to Bethel and Matshetsheni Primary Schools,” he said.
“Some members of staff from the schools have been trained in library management, book lending, book coding, resource mobilisation and monitoring as well as evaluation.
“The staff members that we trained here will go on to train the rest of the staff members and SDC members so that the programme becomes effective. We have also given each school a steel cabinet, which will house all the books. We have emphasised to the schools that they have to closely follow up these books in order to sustain the project,” he said.
Mr Moyo said the project seeks to ensure learners have access to books anywhere and anytime. He said pupils must have access to the books during school hours, school holidays and weekends. The trust will be monitoring lending registers to ensure that learners have unlimited access to books.
Mr Moyo said the Books to Go project also seeks to reduce the gap that exists between urban and rural children in accessing reading material. He said the books can also be used to enhance the education curriculum.
This comes as preliminary assessment has shown that some learners in rural schools complete their Grade Seven without being able to read or write.
“We want to inculcate a reading culture within schools and communities as the books will also be accessible to community members. Teachers can also be used as an aid to teach various subjects in primary schools,” said Mr Moyo.
“With the help of these books, learners can understand better. We also want learners to read for comprehension and fluency. As an organisation, we want to reduce illiteracy levels.
“In Gwanda there are some learners who cannot read or write at Grade Seven level hence they cannot pass public examinations. A number of schools in the rural areas don’t have these books, which can develop learners.”
Mr Moyo said schools were also expected to mobilise resources to sustain their libraries.
Addressing teachers during the training, Gwanda District Schools Inspector, Mr Sydney Sibanda said the partnership with the Edward Ndlovu Memorial Trust has significantly helped to improve literacy in the district. The trust is coming in to complement Government efforts in developing the education sector.
“This intervention from the trust, which is being implemented at primary school level is key in laying a strong foundation for learners, which will in turn improve the pass rate.
“Let’s make use of these books and inculcate a culture of reading among learners. We shouldn’t have non readers in our schools when we have these books,” he said.
“Let’s not allow these books to gather dust. As you go back to your schools after this training make sure that you equip other teachers so that libraries are sustainable. May you also take this opportunity to develop yourselves as teachers.”—@DubeMatutu
Online Reporter