International School Library Month (ISLM) was held last month (October), and the provincial education department is celebrating with a School Library Competition, where learners can win R30 000 for their school to spend on library resources.
Reading and writing are crucial skills that must be mastered if learners are to succeed in their school career and beyond, and having access to library resources at schools can make a difference in improving learning outcomes.
The theme for this year’s competition is “Adventures live in my library!” and the departement is asking learners to tell it about an adventure that can be found in their library, and how winning school library resources would lead to more library adventures.
The competition, which is run with the support of department’s Education Library and Information Services (EDULIS), encourages learners to either write a short story, or create a drawing or poster.
Learners in Grade 4 to 12 can enter the short story category, with prizes awarded to three high schools of the winning entries in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa, and three primary schools with the winning entries in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa.
Learners in Grade 1 to 3 can enter the poster or drawing competition, with prizes awarded to three primary schools with the winning entries in English, Afrikaans, and Xhosa.
One special school will receive a prize for the winning entry for either a short story, poster or drawing. That’s a total of R300 000 in prizes, to be spent on school library resources.
- Entries close on Friday 13 December, so all learners have the chance to speak to their teachers about how to enter!
