Kelly Petersen’s essay
Having learner-friendly libraries and involving children in book choices will help literacy
THE Al-Ikhlaas Academia Library and Resource Centre ran an essay contest in which pupils from across Cape Town participated. This is the third essay of the 12 finalists that we are publishing every Thursday.
Today’s essay is by Kelly Petersen, 15, from Bellville South High School.
Topic: Enhancing literacy and numeracy in the present age. THE level of literacy and numeracy that learners are expected to be able to do, by the government, is much more advanced than the level of literacy and numeracy that learners are introduced to at schools.
Therefore, in trying to enhance the literacy and numeracy of the present age, we need to start by strengthening learners’ fundamental knowledge on these topics.
Schools should be based on a system where learners are categorised into classes based on their academic capabilities. This ensures that learners are situated in environments where they can reach their full potential, as opposed to them being stuck in class where they are not being academically challenged and are constantly being distracted by others who are not willing to learn.
In this way, learners will be encouraged to become academically competitive and always aspire to do their best.
Schools should have learnerfriendly libraries that are available for use at all times. In this way children will have knowledge available to them that is easily accessible.
Libraries create a space where children can deviate from their class environment and unintentionally learn. It also gives children the opportunity to learn more about topics they enjoy as individuals.
This will help stimulate children’s interest in literacy and thus help develop their literacy skills, whether it is concerning reading and writing, interpretation of language and literature or comprehension skills.
Classrooms should be an active-learning environment. Learners can learn so much from one another.
Learners can help others understand and grasp topics by explaining it to the class from a learner’s perspective.
Learners should be given the platform to have debates and discussions about their school work. By having learners ask each other questions on topics, it will help them “polish” their understanding on the topic and help them put their thoughts into words.
Even though it may be considered a tedious task by many, as a learner, I consider it extremely important that learners’ memory is regularly being refreshed on the basics of literacy and numeracy.
Constantly refreshing someone’s memory on certain topics will help engrave the information into the person’s long-term memory, making it less likely for them to forget something (and more likely for them to remember it).
And although many learners would groan at the thought of revision from the year prior to their present year, brushing up on the basics can never hurt.
If I have to be more specific, I would say that schools need to focus on helping learners interpret and understand literature. The aspect of literacy that many pupils struggle with is most definitely literature.
Learners will find it difficult to interpret something that they do not enjoy reading, yet if learners are able to sharpen their skills and knowledge of literature and its importance, then maybe it will ignite some interest in this particular section of literacy.
This might also be me indirectly asking for better books to read than as assigned to us (learners) in our current curriculum.
A simple way of ensuring that children receive good and entertaining novels would be by involving learners in the process of choosing said novels.
One of the most important and effective steps in enhancing literacy and numeracy in the present age involves separating those who want to learn from those that have no regard for acquiring knowledge whatsoever.
Creating classroom environments that promote engaging in subject matter and active learning can make learning more involving.
Providing facilities that make knowledge accessible for the youth will promote freedom in learning.
Fundamentally, physically engaging and submerging us as learners into our work is what will eventually ensure that we have a bright future.