The Department of Basic Education (DBE), in partnership with TeacherConnect and E³ (Education, Employability, and Entrepreneurship), has launched an inspiring new initiative for Phase V beneficiaries of the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI) — the Reading Champions Training Course. This innovative online programme is designed to equip youth placed as Reading Champions with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to ignite a passion for reading among South African learners.
This training course is more than just a skill-building activity; it’s a gateway to meaningful change within schools and communities. By empowering youth to become literacy ambassadors, the DBE and its partners aim to strengthen the foundations of reading proficiency in early grades — a critical step in improving long-term educational outcomes.
What Is the Reading Champions Training Course?
The Reading Champions Training Course is a learner-centered digital training experience hosted on the TeacherConnect platform, a mobile-accessible learning hub trusted by educators and education assistants across South Africa. It has been specially curated for BEEI Phase V Reading Champions — youth placed in schools to assist with literacy development, particularly in the Foundation Phase.
The course explores:
- The importance of reading in early childhood development
- Techniques for engaging young readers
- How to support teachers in the classroom
- Creating literacy-rich environments
- Encouraging home-based reading practices
With a mix of interactive videos, reflection activities, quizzes, and real-world scenarios, the training ensures that Reading Champions are fully prepared to make a tangible impact in their schools.
Why This Course Matters:
South Africa continues to face significant literacy challenges, with many learners unable to read for meaning by Grade 4. The Reading Champions programme is DBE’s strategic response to this crisis, and this training forms a vital part of that plan.
By investing in the professional growth of these young assistants, the DBE not only enhances the reading support available in classrooms, but also helps unemployed youth gain marketable skills and valuable experience in the education sector — directly supporting the goals of the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI).
How to Enrol for the Training
ENROL FOR THE BEEI PHASE V READING CHAMPIONS TRAINING COURSE HERE
The platform is data-light and mobile-friendly, ensuring that participants in both urban and rural areas can complete the course with ease.
Certificate of Completion
Upon successful completion, learners receive a digital certificate, which can be added to their CVs and shared with future employers. This not only demonstrates their contribution to literacy development but also showcases their commitment to professional growth and community service.
Our Conclusion
The BEEI Reading Champions Training Course by TeacherConnect and DBE-E³ represents a powerful blend of education, technology, and youth development. It ensures that young Reading Champions are more than just assistants — they are changemakers, contributing to the future of literacy in South Africa. For every book opened, a world of opportunity is unlocked — and this training helps make that vision a reality.
