As the world prepares to commemorate International Literacy Day on 8 September, READ Educational Trust is calling for renewed urgency and collective action to address South Africa’s persistent literacy crisis.

This year’s commemoration is particularly significant as International Literacy Day marks its 60th anniversary. Celebrated under the theme, “Literacy for People, Planet and Prosperity,” the 2026 observance highlights literacy as a powerful
tool for inclusion, opportunity, sustainable development and economic
participation.

For South Africa, however, the day also serves as a stark reminder of the work that remains. The country’s literacy challenges have been well documented. The 2021 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) found that 81% of South African Grade 4 learners could not read for meaning in any language. More recent nationally representative data from the Department of Basic Education’s Funda Uphumelele National Survey paints an equally concerning picture: only 30% of learners in Grades 1 to 3 are reading at grade level in their home language.

In some cases, up to a quarter of Grade 3 learners cannot read a single word.

“These statistics are not simply numbers. They represent millions of children whose futures are affected by whether or not they acquire one of life’s most fundamental skills,” says Carol Read, the CEO of the READ Educational Trust.

“Literacy is the foundation upon which all learning is built. A child who cannot read with understanding will struggle to access the rest of the curriculum, limiting their educational journey and, ultimately, their future opportunities.”

READ Educational Trust, one of South Africa’s pioneering literacy organisations, has spent more than four decades working to improve literacy outcomes among young South Africans, particularly in under-resourced communities. Founded in 1979,
the organisation has consistently championed literacy as a critical pathway towards educational achievement, empowerment and social mobility.

The organisation believes that addressing South Africa’s literacy crisis requires a collective response that extends beyond the classroom.

“Teachers play a critical role, but they cannot carry this responsibility alone,” says Carol Read “Parents, communities, government, civil society and the private sector all have a role to play in creating environments where
children are exposed to books, stories, language and a culture of reading.”

READ says that developing a nation of readers starts with recognising that literacy is not only an education issue, but a societal and economic imperative.

Globally, UNESCO estimates that at least 739 million youth and adults still lack basic literacy skills, while four in ten children worldwide are not reaching minimum proficiency in reading. The challenge is therefore global, but South Africa’s
reading crisis demands particularly focused and sustained intervention.

There are encouraging signs of progress. Provinces and education stakeholders are increasingly implementing evidence-based reading interventions, while South Africa’s National Literacy Strategy and Plan 2024–2030 places renewed emphasis
on improving reading outcomes, strengthening teacher support, increasing access to appropriate learning materials and involving parents and communities.

However, READ believes that sustained investment and collaboration will be essential if South Africa is to meaningfully change its literacy trajectory.

“International Literacy Day should not be a once-a-year conversation,” says Carol Read “It should remind us that every day presents an opportunity to help a child discover the power of reading. Whether it is reading a bedtime story, donating books, supporting a school or investing in literacy programmes, every contribution matters.”

As part of the celebration, READ will be hosting an International Literacy Day event on 22 September 2026 at our offices in Ormonde, Johannesburg. The day will showcase the work that READ does in advancing literacy and will provide an opportunity for our stakeholders and partners to engage with some of our programmes and projects.

As South Africa marks International Literacy Day on 8 September, READ Educational Trust is calling on all South Africans to recognise literacy as a shared national
priority.

Because changing a child’s ability to read can change the course of their entire life.

 

 

 

 

 

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