On August 22nd Gcobani Higher Primary School in Mdantsane, South Africa will unveil a new library, thanks to a new effort from the South African Rugby Union (SARU). Gcobani School is the second school chosen to benefit from SARU’s new literacy campaign, Boks for Books.
The Boks for Books initiative, referring to the South Africa national rugby team name the Springboks, plans to build 23 libraries across South Africa this term, to correspond with the 23 players on a rugby team. With only eight percent of public schools reported to have functioning libraries, Boks for Books attempts to fill the gap and make books and reading more accessible to students.
Schools will be chosen for the project based on economic and literacy indicators in their surrounding areas, and each school will receive a fully stocked mobile or refurbished library from SARU. In the case of Gcobani School, librarians were also hired and trained to run the new library.
SARU CEO Jurie Roux explained the reason for the new initiative, saying “Our Boks for Books campaign will provide opportunities for children who could not have expected them otherwise, and while we’re not trying to make them into Springboks on the field, we will be hoping that they turn them into champions in the classroom.”
SARU plans to implement the Boks for Books campaign over a multi-year period.
Creative Commons Love: J. Star on Flickr.com
Written by Carla Drumhiller Smith