The campaign aims to highlight the crucial role school libraries play in helping students recover from the disruptions caused by the pandemic. The Western Cape Education Department and Education Library and Information Services have launched the ‘# BackOnTrack with School Libraries’ poetry and poster-making competition to promote school libraries and support students’ academic growth. Participants from different grades can showcase their creativity in two distinct categories and win a substantial prize of R30,000 for each winning entry to enhance library resources.
What is the ‘# BackOnTrack with School Libraries’ poetry and poster competition in Western Cape?
The ‘# BackOnTrack with School Libraries’ competition, launched by the Western Cape Education Department and Education Library and Information Services, is a poetry and poster-making contest aimed at promoting school libraries and supporting students’ academic growth. The competition invites students from various grades to showcase their creativity in two distinct categories and includes a substantial prize of R30,000 for each winning entry to enhance library resources. The competition highlights the crucial role school libraries play in helping students recover from the disruptions caused by the pandemic.
Celebrating International School Library Month with a Unique Contest
In conjunction with International School Library Month, Western Cape Education Department and Education Library and Information Services (EDULIS) have launched a one-of-a-kind poetry and poster-making competition. The contest, titled ‘# BackOnTrack with School Libraries,’ seeks to promote school libraries and support students’ academic growth. With a substantial prize of R30,000 for each winning entry to enhance library resources, the campaign highlights the crucial role school libraries play in helping students recover from the disruptions caused by the pandemic.
Reading and writing are fundamental to education and serve as the cornerstones of intellectual development and success in both school and life. Kerry Mauchline, spokesperson for David Maynier, Western Cape’s provincial minister of education, underscores the significant influence access to library resources can have on improving learning outcomes. Consequently, the poetry and poster contest serves as an inventive initiative to raise awareness and cultivate appreciation for these indispensable educational resources.
Engaging Students of All Ages Through Poetry and Art
The 2023 competition invites students from various grades to showcase their creativity in two distinct categories: a poetry contest for Grades 4 through 12 and a poster or drawing competition for Grades 1 to 3, including special schools. These categories not only accommodate different age groups but also encourage diversity in expression and celebrate the artistic talents of Western Cape’s students.
Participants must thoughtfully address a series of questions related to the importance of school libraries in the context of pandemic recovery. These questions encompass how school libraries can assist learners in getting back on track, how the absence of a library might impact the recovery process, and how winning resources for their school library could make a difference.
Supporting Fair Competition and Rewarding Excellence
A comprehensive set of guidelines and instructions has been distributed to all schools to ensure fair and informed participation. Furthermore, the contest features an impressive total prize fund of R300,000, allocated to reward top submissions in English, Afrikaans, and IsiXhosa across both categories and from primary, secondary, and special schools.
In the poetry category, three secondary schools and three primary schools will each receive R30,000 for outstanding submissions in each language. Similarly, the poster or drawing category will award three primary schools from Grades 1-3 and one special school R30,000 each for the best entries in the respective languages. These prizes represent a significant investment in the future of students and their schools, empowering the winning institutions to expand their library resources and create a rich learning environment.
Encouraging Student Participation and Recognizing Creativity
With a submission deadline of Wednesday, 13 December 2023, students are urged to consult with their schools and enter the contest as soon as possible. Last year’s winners, a testament to the creative prowess of Western Cape’s students, can be viewed here.
The ‘# BackOnTrack with School Libraries’ campaign, through its poetry and poster contest, not only emphasizes the essential role of school libraries in promoting intellectual growth but also offers a platform for students to express their thoughts, concerns, and aspirations about their educational journey. By celebrating the artistic and literary talents of its students, Western Cape’s initiative reaffirms the importance of creative pursuits in the academic sphere and the significance of well-equipped libraries in nurturing the brilliant minds of tomorrow.
1. What is the ‘# BackOnTrack with School Libraries’ poetry and poster competition in Western Cape?
The ‘# BackOnTrack with School Libraries’ competition is a poetry and poster-making contest aimed at promoting school libraries and supporting students’ academic growth. The competition invites students from various grades to showcase their creativity in two distinct categories and includes a substantial prize of R30,000 for each winning entry to enhance library resources.
2. Why was the competition launched?
The competition was launched to highlight the crucial role school libraries play in helping students recover from the disruptions caused by the pandemic.
3. Who launched the competition?
The Western Cape Education Department and Education Library and Information Services launched the competition.
4. What are the two categories in the competition?
The competition has two categories: a poetry contest for Grades 4 through 12 and a poster or drawing competition for Grades 1 to 3, including special schools.
5. What is the total prize fund for the competition?
The total prize fund for the competition is R300,000.
6. What is the submission deadline for the competition?
The submission deadline for the competition is Wednesday, 13 December 2023.
7. How many schools will receive prizes in each category?
In the poetry category, three secondary schools and three primary schools will each receive R30,000 for outstanding submissions in each language. Similarly, the poster or drawing category will award three primary schools from Grades 1-3 and one special school R30,000 each for the best entries in the respective languages.
8. What is the purpose of the competition?
The competition aims to promote school libraries and support students’ academic growth while celebrating the artistic and literary talents of Western Cape’s students. It also highlights the importance of well-equipped libraries in nurturing the brilliant minds of tomorrow.
