Focus On Education: Stationery Helps To Promote Learning

Universal primary education is identified as the second most important Millennium Development Goal by the United Nations

. However, education is arguably the most important because education creates choice and opportunity, reduces the twin burdens of poverty and disease, and develops a stronger voice for society. In South Africa, like many other countries, massive income inequalities manifest in an education system that fails to provide adequate education of an appropriate quality.

In June 2011, Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, released the departments Annual National Assessment (ANA). The ANA revealed shockingly low levels of literacy and numeracy among so-called foundation phase (Gr 1-3) and intermediate phase (Gr 4-6) pupils attending government schools in South Africa. A result of a complex situation, some of the notable issues include: under qualified teachers and poor teacher development, insufficient text books, poor financial control at schools, high teenage pregnancy rates and stationary shortages. In addition, many South African schools still face infrastructure backlogs such as water, sanitation, electricity, libraries and laboratories. Government has acknowledged the importance of basic education and undertaken to Improve the quality of basic education and create a skilled and capable workforce to support an inclusive growth path.

While the majority of discussion about the challenges facing the education system focus on infrastructure, teachers, students and text books, stationery has a profound impact on the childs ability to learn. A 2010 EdQual study, Determinants of Primary Students Attainment in Africa, indicated that in schools where learners have adequate access to stationary supplies like Croxley exercise books, Maped rulers, and Stabilo pens, pencils and highlighters, learners tend to achieve higher scores.

The study suggests that poverty presents a real barrier to learning by making it difficult for learners to access basic stationery needed for effective learning. Spending priority of the parents of less vulnerable children can be managed through clear communication with parents and community leaders. Even where free education is provided by the state, parents need to contribute towards educational costs by ensuring children have basic stationary to promote learning. However, government will still need to provide stationary to the poorest and most vulnerable children, especially orphans and street children.

Clearly the lack of access to basic equipment in schools such as chairs, desks, blackboards, exercise books and writing instruments is a real barrier to learning in primary schools. However, this is neither a difficult nor an expensive challenge to address. The danger of course, is focusing on certain aspects of primary education without a holistic view that addresses the system. Increased access to education and retention of learners by schools can only be beneficial to a point. Stationery helps improve effectiveness and efficiency of learning and enables children to realise their right to learn.

by: SSC

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