Description of project:

Phenduka aims to assist both teachers and learners in addressing the problems of poor literacy levels that exist in many schools. This is done by running an accelerated remedial programme that includes a pro-active approach to reading problems and several strategies for improving word recognition, word attack, reading fluency, spelling and comprehension. The entire class is assessed for reading ages and ranges and then through the strategies mentioned, existing skills are enhanced and consolidated. At the same time, teachers are taught how to use the same material in working with children at different academic levels, in ways that address the needs of all.

The Shuttleworth Foundation?s involvement:

The Shuttleworth Foundation funded the running of four literacy programmes in 2002 in schools in the Soweto area.

Aims and objectives:

The aim of the project was to improve the literacy levels of learners.

Evaluation:

The four two-week literacy programmes were completed by the end of April 2002. Both learners and educators were unanimously positive in their responses, and nearly all the learners showed a good or excellent improvement in their reading.
Click here to read the report written by the staff of the Phenduka Literacy Project once the programmes were completed.