The Foundation Phase Reading Coach Support Programme, founded by Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm in 12 local community schools to improve literacy skills amongst learners in grades 1 – 3, has handed over reading resources to the value R100 000. The event, which took place at Kruisfontein Primary School in Humansdorp, saw principals and representatives from the Uitenhage District Department of Education as well as the reading coaches assembling. “We are very pleased to be able to hand over the Classroom Library Resources, which are to assist the reading coaches and benefit learners, so early on in the academic year,” Marion Green-Thompson, Economic Development Manager for Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm.
Participating schools in the vicinity of Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm include: Chigwell Primary School, Gamtoosvalley Primary School, Graslaagte Primary School, Kruisfontein Primary School, Masisebenze Primary School, Mzingisi Primary School, Patensie Primary School, Quagga Primary School, St Patricks EC Primary School, Vukani Primary School, Weston Primary School and Sea Vista Primary School.
The programme aims to improve the literacy and numeracy skills of primary school learners, through the introduction of Reading Coaches, into the beneficiary schools. Coaches run reading sessions with groups of up to 15 children at a time, although most of these groups are smaller so that each child gets individual attention.
“It is widely acknowledged that the biggest challenge to education outcomes is the lack of literacy and numeracy skills for learners at the Foundation phase, as it limits learners’ potential as they progress higher up the education chain. This needs to be addressed so that learners have the right skills to take mathematics and science through to Grade 12,” concluded Green-Thompson.
Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm is committed to helping communities through education and health programmes, which includes early childhood development, support for foundation phase and high school, as well as scholarship programmes.
