According to the 2021 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) report, South African children show very low results when it comes to the ability to read for meaning as they turn 10, performing well below expected levels. The study used four international benchmarks (ranging from 400 points to 625 points and above) based on what children should be able to do at a certain age. Failure to reach the lowest benchmark of 400 points indicates that the learner is unable to retrieve basic information from the text provided to answer simplistic questions. 81% of grade 4 learners in South Africa were not able to reach the lowest benchmark.
How do poor literacy levels affect the future work capabilities of youth in South Africa?
Poor literacy levels act as a barrier for youth when it comes to future career prospects and socio-economic progress in numerous ways, including:
- Reduction in Entry-Level Positions: Automation and digitisation will result in a shortage of many forms of entry-level jobs e.g. automated check-out systems at grocery stores that replace cashiers. According to a 2023 AI study, entry-level workers are at the greatest risk of being replaced by AI. It is estimated that 56% of entry-level positions will be taken over by AI-driven automation over the next 5 years. This means that the jobs that are available will require a higher degree of skill and / or education level.
- Skills Development: Youth will need to develop new skills to navigate both work and personal landscapes. Poor literacy and comprehension capabilities will severely impede their abilities to adapt to the dynamics of a changing environment. This includes the ability to improve digital literacy competencies.
- Remote & Hybrid Work: With companies de-centralising operations to embrace remote work structures, written communication will replace verbal discussions to a larger extent. This means that even junior employees such as interns will require the ability to communicate effectively and professionally in written format.
- AI & Problem-solving: While on the surface it may seem that the emergence of AI technology has reduced the need to “think” due to processes being automated, the reality is quite different. Working with AI requires an understanding of subject matters and outcomes – for example, knowing how to craft an AI prompt to produce specific results. It also necessitates a higher amount of creativity in order to stand out from the crowd and differentiate yourself from the plethora of content that has been generated by the very same AI functionalities.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) 2023 Future of Jobs report lists Analytic Thinking as the top workplace skill in demand, followed closely by Creative Thinking. Even those inherently possessing such proficiencies require strong reading and writing skills to express their ideas and communicate efficiently with stakeholders such as management, colleagues and customers.
What can be done to prepare young people for future career prospects?
Early childhood literacy programmes are imperative to building a foundation for professional and social development. Both parents and teachers should prioritise instilling a love for books and reading in children from an early age. From a government perspective, there needs to be a massive escalation when it comes to providing access to basic education, as well as improving the quality of education across all age groups. To do so requires the professional development of teachers, as well as salary structures that attract and retain passionate and skilled educators in both public and private education institutes. Infrastructural development is also a fundamental need when it comes to access to technology, particularly in less privileged regions.
Partnerships and collaborations are also critical to solving the literacy and education crisis facing the country. Private sector collaborative initiatives and projects have the potential to make a tangible impact when it comes to education transformation. For example, the Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programme provided by Khanyisa Inanda Seminary Community Projects (KICP) upskills student teachers through an Open Distance Learning system. Through this training, KICP aims to produce skilled, well-developed educators who are equipped to provide solutions to the challenges facing the teacher education sector in South Africa. KICP is supported by like-minded funders such as the FEM Education Foundation (FEMEF) – this allows the organisation to scale and continue to positively contribute to education goals, including the infusion of digital teaching and learning.
The future of the country and the future of youth are intrinsically connected. This year as we commemorate 30 years of democracy in South Africa, let us look to the future and focus on paving the way forward for our young people. Let us concentrate our efforts on finding ways to collaborate and develop solutions that will result in a bright future for our youth, and for the nation as a whole.
By Nazeer Hoosen
