Rural families face barriers as South Africa’s reading crisis deepens
South Africa’s reading crisis is leaving thousands of children behind, particularly in poor and rural communities.
By Masabata MkwananziSouth Africa
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A 2025 national assessment found that about one in three Grade 1 to Grade 3 learners reached the home-language reading benchmark, while charities and education experts warn that rural families lack books, support and learning resources.
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About this article
- Length
- 36 words · 1 min read
- Published
- September 16, 2026
- Byline
- Masabata Mkwananzi
- Source
- IOL