The Western Cape Education Department has prioritised improving literacy levels in schools across the province. Growsmart, supported by the education department, was successfully launched in 2010 by Growthpoint Properties, a JSE-listed property company as part of its corporate social investment (CSI) initiative.
On 17 and 24 August, Parow High School will play host to 40 schools that are participating in the second phase of Growsmart, an exciting and interactive competition aimed at improving literacy across Cape Town schools.
The first round of the 2013 competition saw 200 schools across the Cape Town metropole competing for a place in round two. The first round of the challenge took place over eight consecutive Saturdays and saw 40 schools making it through to the next round, among them Bellville South, Kuilsriver, Beacon View and Hyde Park Primary Schools. Eight schools will qualify in round two to go through to the final of the competition, which will be held on 7 September in honour of International Literacy Day.
"We'd like to encourage parents, families and communities to come and support the participating learners," says Shawn Theunissen, head of the CSI division at Growthpoint Properties. "This worthwhile initiative means so much more than just literacy - it is a wonderful confidence booster for the children and provides a terrific sense of achievement. There are fantastic prizes up for grabs, so it really is worthwhile to participate in the competition," says Theunissen. "The winning school will receive improvements to their premises in excess of R250,000 while the winning learners will each receive assistance worth R20,000 towards their future education."