It’s easy to overlook the power of reading, especially in a world buzzing with screens, videos, and quick messages. But ask any education expert, and they’ll tell you: if children can’t read well, they can’t learn well. Reading is the foundation for all learning; it unlocks every other subject in school and every opportunity in life.
One of the biggest reasons reading is essential is that it’s not just about sounding out words. It’s about understanding what those words mean and using that understanding to think critically, solve problems, and learn new information. According to renowned reading researcher Dr Nell Duke from the University of Michigan, reading is essential not only for academic achievement but also for civic and personal life. People who read well are more likely to vote, more likely to be healthy, and more likely to be employed” (Duke, 2014).
Children who struggle to read in the early grades also fall behind in all other subjects.
This is known as the “Matthew Effect”, a term used by psychologist Keith Stanovich. He explains that kids who learn to read early read more, improving their vocabulary and knowledge, while those who fall behind tend to avoid reading altogether, increasing the gap (Stanovich, 1986). In South Africa, a PIRLS study in 2021 showed that 81% of Grade 4 learners couldn’t read for meaning. This is a severe crisis because if learners can’t understand their reading by Grade 4, they’ll struggle through the rest of their school years.
Reading also builds vocabulary, imagination, and empathy. Books introduce young people to new ideas, cultures, and ways of thinking. When a child reads a story about
someone different from them, they learn to see the world through another person’s eyes. As bestselling author and education advocate Malorie Blackman puts it, “Reading is an exercise in empathy, an exercise in walking in someone else’s shoes for a while.”
In today’s job market, reading is even more critical. Most jobs require employees to read and understand instructions, write reports, send emails, and follow technical manuals. Without strong reading skills, young people are at a disadvantage. Professor Elizabeth Pretorius from UNISA, a leading South African academic in language and literacy, says, “Reading is not a frill or a luxury. It is a basic skill, and without it, learners cannot access the curriculum or succeed academically” (Pretorius, 2015).
To improve the reading problem in schools, the South African education system needs a targeted and practical approach. First, early literacy should be made a national priority, with more time spent on reading instruction in the Foundation Phase (Grades R–3).
Teachers must be trained specifically in teaching reading for meaning, not just phonics, but also in comprehension and vocabulary development. Schools must also have age-appropriate, culturally relevant reading material in learners’ home languages and English. Regular annual national reading assessments should also be implemented to track progress and provide guidance. Partnering with NGOs, libraries, and local communities can help bring books and reading clubs to areas that need them most. Improving the reading culture in schools will require collaboration and urgency, but it is one of the most powerful ways to transform the future of education in the country.
Parents, teachers, and communities all have a role to play in making reading a daily habit. It’s not enough to leave it to schools alone. Encouraging children to read at home, talking about books, visiting libraries, and providing access to age-appropriate books all help build a reading culture. As the famous children’s author Dr Seuss once said, “The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”
If we want to improve education in South Africa, or anywhere, reading must be central. We need strong reading programmes, trained teachers, and books that reflect the language and culture of the learners. And we need to start early, because the sooner a child learns to read, the sooner they can begin to truly understand.
So yes, reading matters a lot. It’s not just a subject in school. It’s the key that unlocks everything else. If we want our children to succeed, we must help them fall in love with reading now.