Open Books Open Minds
The objective of this project is to address the lack of books through establishing teacher resource libraries and provision of books and dictionaries, through capacity building targeted at teachers, improve literacy, teaching and instruction and promote literacy through creative events and competitions.
As part of the project implementation, teacher resource libraries were installed as part of resourcing of the schools. At baseline, none of the schools had any teacher resource library. Teacher resource libraries are important as teachers can use them to pull out teaching aids and books for lesson planning and learning.
A total of 5 637 books were purchased for Teacher Resource Library. Setting up of teacher resource libraries was done by a qualified librarian. 273 teachers were trained on the use of the Resource Library.
Open Books Open Mind is a Literacy Programme aimed at improving the levels of literacy by fostering reading and writing through the use of an experienced coach to improve the capacity of teachers in the Foundation and Intermediate Phases.
Improving literacy, teaching and instruction in 9 schools. Lujiza, Masakhe, New Generation, Duncan Village, Cranberry, Aspiranza, A.W Barnes, Pefferville and Parkside in the East London area.
I started the Open Books ~ Open Minds Literacy Project in 2010 as a grass-roots effort to promote literacy at A. W. Barnes and Parkside Primary Schools in East London, South Africa.
I first visited the schools in 2008 as part of the 2008 South Africa Partners’ Education Tour. The school visits consisted of seeing some classes in action and having a chance to speak to teachers. I also had a chance to read a story to a second grade class.