Our Story

The Need For Rally To Read

Rally to Read promotes literacy in under-resourced South African schools through books, teacher training, and parental support. Partnering with sponsors, it delivers resources and fosters community engagement to bridge educational gaps and inspire a love for reading. Rally to Read addresses these challenges:

Literacy Gap

Rural learners lag behind urban counterparts, leading to poor academic results.

High Dropout Rates

Many students leave school early, limiting future opportunities.

Impact of Covid-19

Pandemic has amplified the need for literacy support.

History & Scope

The Rally to Read program commenced in 1998 and is therefore in its 26th year. Since inception almost 1 000 schools, 16 000 teachers and 700 000 learners have benefitted. More than R120m has been invested in literacy training by approximately 160 private sector and individual sponsors. This year the beneficiaries of the program are 60 schools, 22 096 learners and 564 teachers.

How Rally To Read Works

READ Educational Trust Information

School Selection – READ Educational Trust collaborates with Departments of Education to choose needy schools.

Resource Delivery – Box libraries with reading materials are provided to selected schools.

Teacher Training – READ field staff train teachers and monitor progress monthly.

The Spirit of Rally to Read

Rally to Read is an outstanding example of collaboration where competitors, for example virtually all the local vehicle manufacturers and many importers, join hands in support of a common cause. The motor industry has been extremely supportive right from the outset and accounts for almost 70% of the funding of the program