Improving Literacy through Book Provision  |  Botswana

Impacts

Outcomes

Improved children’s literacy

Thari E Ntsho Storytellers onsite free reading program has enabled 10 pupils that struggled with reading to improve their grades from ‘e- to ‘c according to their parents

Local childrens book author Bonte has developed a training blue print that can be replicated in other schools

The youth and women that have been trained to tutor can be part of the efforts to replicate the program

Background

Bonte Botumile published her first children's book in 2006 and was alarmed to discover that despite Botswana’s general literacy levels being estimated at 77% (Lauglo, 2000, p.8), the reading levels of children were alarmingly low. A study by Adenyinka, T & Akande, S. O. (2007) confirmed that literacy levels among primary school pupils in Botswana were approximately 36.7%. Over the years, she learned that this poor reading culture was caused by several factors: i) large class sizes, which prevented children from receiving the individual attention needed to improve literacy, ii) the lack of adequate public libraries in villages, schools, and classrooms, iii) the poor selection of children's literature in the few available libraries, iv) the limited availability of books that lacked local content or issues children could relate to, and v) the prevalence of illiteracy among parents, particularly in rural areas, who were unable to model or guide their children in improving their literacy skills.

In 2018, Bonte started a social enterprise called Thari E Ntsho Storytellers, aiming to foster, promote, and improve children’s literacy. It soon became clear that simply donating books to children, without the necessary tools and approaches to improve and sustain their reading skills, was ineffective. There are 18 primary schools in Bonte’s local village of Maun, with 4320 pupils falling within her target readership. From the three schools in her neighborhood, she selected the one closest to her premises and focused on supporting 10 pupils, aged 9-12, in grade 4.

Bonte's charity developed an after-school reading program that:

(i) ensured each pupil had a personal tutor to provide individualized attention over a two-year period,

(ii) created a mobile library with diverse children’s literature to expose pupils to different genres of books,

(iii) involved teachers and parents to help increase the time children spent reading for leisure rather than just reading to pass tests, and

(iv) provided books based on local content to help children appreciate their own culture, nature, and aspire to be part of the conservation efforts that make Botswana a popular tourism destination.

Thari E Ntsho Storytellers' reading program adopted a multilayered approach aimed at: (i) supporting public schools in improving children’s literacy at the community level,

(ii) engaging unemployed youth and women in intergenerational support,

(iii) providing additional skills and income for unemployed youth and women through children’s literacy,

(iv) emphasizing books with local content to expose children to relevant issues they can support, such as conservation, from a young age, and

(v) engaging various community stakeholders to support grassroots efforts in improving children’s literacy as part of preparing future leaders.

Since 2006, the organization has conducted outreach literacy programs in more than 20 schools across Botswana. These outreach programs continue in six different schools in Northwestern Botswana during book, library, and reading week to promote children’s literacy. In 2018, Bonte developed an onsite program offering free reading and writing lessons for 10 pupils, which led to improved academic results, increased English proficiency, and a greater interest in books, as many former students visit the premises to borrow books. The first group of pupils from this initiative is now in their third year of high school.

Each year, Bonte develops tutoring skills among 10-20 unemployed youth and women. These tutors have reported being able to assist their siblings and children with homework, an ability they previously lacked. The stipends paid to tutors have provided a form of income generation, as all participants are unemployed. By being part of this social program, they have gained the opportunity to engage in social responsibility within their communities. Some of the youth and women have even used their new tutoring skills to earn additional income by offering paid tutoring services in their neighborhoods.

In 2024, Bonte formed a book club comprising the tutors and other community members. The group meets once a month, which has increased the visibility of reading mentors at the household and community level in an era dominated by device addiction.