Minister: SA children must read more

Her department is conducting roadshows across Gauteng to encourage pupils to open up books. 

Studies have shown that South African children are not able to read at expected levels, or execute tasks that demonstrate key skills associated with literacy. 

The Department's 'Read to Lead' campaign was launched in 2015 and will work towards improving reading levels over the next four years.

Mothsekga urged parents to invest in their children's education.

"Even parents have to read to their kids. Buy them books as gifts," says Motshekga.

Motshekga has also warned bullies that they will end up in jail.

A recent video doing the rounds on social media shows two Grade 11 boys from one of Johannesburg's top boys schools, King Edward VII School, attacking a pair of Grade 10 boys.

Mothsekga says South African pupils are among the most bullied - a situation that is simply unacceptable. 

She says learners who bully others generally grow up to be especially deviant.

"It starts with bullying. These bullies are preparing themselves to be violent and bad adults. Bullies are evil people, but I'm glad there are psycho-social services to help them, because bullies are children who have needs. Don't bully anybody and think you are smart. If you bully, you know you are evil and you are preparing yourself for prison," says Motshekga.

Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi will be visiting King Edward VII School where the latest incident of bullying occurred.

"We will be going to that school to address that problem later today. If you don't nip bullying in the bud, people will act otherwise when they lose 6-0," says Lesufi.