Frequently asked questions
Who is working on the provision of ABE? PDF  | Print |  E-mail
The Department of Education runs adult literacy classes in some of its schools, which are now called Public Adult Learning Centres.  The Department has also launched a mass literacy campaign, called Kha Ri Gude.

Non-government organisations, called NGOs, have also been providing adult basic education for many years.  They run classes in schools, community centres, churches and in some cases homes and even garages – anywhere that can house a group of adults who want to learn.  Many communities are now taking on responsibility for providing adult basic education (ABE) classes for local residents.
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What’s the size of the problem? PDF  | Print |  E-mail
More than 9 million adults in South Africa are illiterate.  They cannot read or write in their own language, or in the language of the local economy – be it English or Afrikaans.  They usually do not have the arithmetic skills we need for daily life as well.  Yet these people are parents, workers, housewives, and voters.
 
What is involved in adult basic education (ABE)? PDF  | Print |  E-mail
  • Literacy
  • Numeracy
  • Second language learning e.g. English
  • Practical life skills – from completing a form to sending a telegram etc.
  • Some form of personal development education – it depends on the nature of the group – might be how to plan community development projects, for example, or intensive vegetable cropping.
 
Is ABE examinable? PDF  | Print |  E-mail
Yes.  Operation Upgrade sometimes uses the adult examinations set and marked by the Independent Examinations Board.  The Board offers exams for first language literacy (say in Zulu), English at 4 levels, and Numeracy at 4 levels. 
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Of what value are the examinations? PDF  | Print |  E-mail
The IEB examinations are in line with an agreement called the National Qualifications Framework, which was negotiated between employers, organised labour and the Government.  This states that adults who achieve approved qualifications can achieve the General Certificate in Education and Training, which is what children at Grade 9 can achieve. 
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HIV and AIDS and literacy learning

The educators in training on the HIV and AIDS course make a list of the AIDS topics they want to cover in literacy lessons.  Then in groups they plan lessons on the basis outlined above.  After the course they make their own lesson plans that incorporate some of the HIV/AIDS topics.

EMSENI Community Centre

We have set up a community centre in KwaNibela, called Emseni Community Centre. (“Emseni” means Place of Kindness.) We have built two large rondavels there, one to accommodate our staff and visitors, and one for storage.

The UNESCO Confucius Prize

“The UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy was awarded to Operation Upgrade of South Africa, for the “KwaNibela Project”, and continues the Organisation’s 40-year history of commitment and change.