Nobuhle Ndlovu (blue and white dress), a teacher at Amaoti 3 Secondary School is pictured with members of the school’s growing book club (from L to R) Nkanyiso Makhungo, Mabutho Dlala, Mlayezowenkosi Ngema and Ayanda Dlada
Image: Supplied
Nothing could be nicer than a good book, and Ms Nobuhle Ndlovu is excited to get her pupils to read. Ms Ndlovu is a teacher at Amaoti 3 Secondary School, neighbouring Phoenix, and she is keenly aware of the need to develop a culture of reading in her pupils.
She knows of the dismal state of reading for understanding among the country’s school population and was thrilled when one of her pupils asked to borrow a book from a table in the staffroom.
“It’s a teacher’s dream to have pupils who are hungry to get into books and learn about the world through good writing,” she said.
Grade 8 pupil, Mabutho Dlala, then stirred the interest of some of his peers and recruited them into an informal band, who have been borrowing books for after-school reading. The group has now been formalised as a book club. In their book club, the young bibliophiles discuss the book each of them has been reading, explaining why they enjoyed it and why the others should also dig into its pages.
Ms Ndlovu joined Amaoti 3 Secondary School staff last year after having headed up The Domino Foundation’s Skills Development programme. There, through her interaction with young people negotiating the demands for the correct qualifications to get training and employment after Matric, she gained a deep understanding of how vital a sound standard of literacy is in that journey.
“I engaged with some school-leavers whose uncertain grasp of English made things so much more difficult as they negotiated what career paths were open to them.” Ms Ndlovu said. “ Now members of the book club are making their literacy growth so much easier as they read, not because they have to, but because they want to.”
Ms Ndlovu is working together with Ms Dudu Dladla, the Literacy Champion appointed by The Domino Foundation in supporting the Amaoti 3 teachers to help pupils struggling with English. Ms Dladla assesses Grade 8 and 9 pupils and then implements Neema’s Gateway into Reading Foundation Step and CORE lessons to coach the children towards a firmer grasp of English.
“The reading culture here is certainly taking hold, and we are excited at the prospect of more and more pupils getting motivated to come on board!” said Ms Ndlovu.
Ms Ndlovu is appealing for more age-appropriate books in good condition to keep the young High School readers’ voracious appetites satisfied.
“From fiction to non-fiction, thrillers, biographies and even a good cookbook, we will happily accept your kind donations of pre-loved books in good condition,” said Ms Ndlovu.
PContact the Domino’s offices on 031 110 7030 or email
Nicky Walton, Education Co-ordinator on education@domino.org.za.