Reconstruction Years Are the Best Years: establishing good school libraries in South Africa

Abstract

The school library scene in Southern Africa is not impressive. Even where the picture is slightly better the school library does not play a meaningful role in the school curriculum. For most of the countries in the region the battle for establishing this educational component which contributes to the image of a good school needs to be restarted from the drawing board. South Africa has to learn from the mistakes of these countries in order to avoid similar pitfalls. The Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) which has been put in place by the Government of National Unity (GNU) to redress the various imbalances of the apartheid era should be taken advantage of by all those in positions of influence who take strong exception to lack of good school libraries. Policies should be formulated not only for the provision of purpose-built school library structures but also to ensure that the school library becomes an integral part of the school curriculum. The reasons why it is necessary to do so are given. The long-term advantages of having good school libraries are also stated. Further, the thinking why it is crucial to earmark the development of school libraries during the reconstruction years is explained.