Over 80% of Grade 4s can’t read for meaning. This woman is changing that

In South Africa, more than 70% of children in Grades 1 to 3 cannot read at grade level in their home language*. By Grade 4, just over 80% cannot read for meaning**. In Episode 18 of The Odds in Our Favour, Erica Wicomb from the Instructional Leadership Institute shares how strengthening school leaders can transform teaching quality, turning ideas and training into practical action that improves learner outcomes. But at its core, the end goal is the same: to improve South Africa’s chances of producing employable school pupils.“ This episode is proudly brought to you by Old Mutual Wealth – helping clients grow, protect, and preserve what matters most with investment strategies designed to support your legacy. Comment below. The full edition drops every Friday at 07:00 on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. The show is produced by An Wentzel and quality-checked by News24's editors. *Statistics from the Department of Basic Education’s Funda Uphumelele National Survey (FUNS).** Statistics from the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS 2021).