Discussion | International Literacy Day | South Africa's literacy crisis

NEWCASTLE, KZN - South Africa faces an alarming literacy crisis.

Over 80% of Grade 4 learners struggle to read for meaning in any language.

Some experts have cited the lack of books published in African languages for children as one of the contributing factors.

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This year’s International Literacy Day focus is the advancement of multilingual education.

It will look at the benefits of adopting a first-language-based, multilingual approach to literacy development.

READ: WATCH | Book Week | Concern over low literacy levels in primary schools

IsiZulu children’s book author and retired teacher, Lungile Masango, spoke to eNCA.