It is all systems go with the free reading lessons at the Hanover Park library that will start on Thursday 2 February.
“It is my dream that all children in Hanover Park and surrounding areas can read. With the free reading lessons, I hope to boost the literacy in my community. The new school year has just started and I want to encourage parents or family members who have a brother, son, daughter or cousin in school to attend the classes on Thursday. Most households in Hanover Park are run by single parents or grandparents who are not only the only adults responsible for providing food and paying the bills, but they also have to give a hand with school homework of family members. Some of these adults will benefit from the free lessons as they probably never finished matric themselves,” says Eric van der Byl, a Grade 7 geography and Afrikaans teacher at Parkfields Primary.
He completed his matric over a period of five years and knows the hard work one has to put in, starting with reading and making notes, to complete the schooling and degree.
He is now responding to a generic need in the community.
“There is currently no programme that empowers adults to help their children and we all know reading is a necessity in any school. In 2022, when I spoke about my dream to help parents and adults with my free reading programme I had no venue. The local library came to my assistance and now we’ll get the ball rolling.”
Van der Byl hopes that people in power at community centres and libraries in other communities will respond by availing halls in their communities to expand his reading initiative.
Besides his free reading programme, he plans a lot of excursions for children and learners in his community.
Coding is currently the in-word and with maths and science results not always on par he is planning on taking learners to a maths laboratory that specialises in robotics in Tokai.
“Weekend trips to other areas in the province to explore the fauna and flora in our parks or visiting interesting places are also part of my 2023 vision to take learners from Hanover Park out of their comfort zone,” Van der Byl says.
He is starting a chess club at his school and is contemplating a chess league for schools that will be open to everyone.
- For more information contact Eric van der Byl via email at 2473341@myuwc.ac.za
