Lessons from engaging sports role models and stakeholders in the promotion of literacy among school children in Suva, Fiji

Authors

  • Jeremy Dorovolomo University of the South Pacific
  • Loriza Zinnie Rafiq University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji.

Keywords:

Fiji, RLAC program, Literacy, Sports role models, school-university partnerships, reading promotion

Abstract

This paper draws lessons from the Read like a Champion (RLAC) program implemented in Suva, Fiji, which engaged elite sporting individuals in literacy activities at schools. A qualitative case-oriented study was utilized, drawing on Esser and Vliegenthart’s (2017) practical steps in analyzing comparative data to consider lessons from RLAC in comparison with available literature on lessons from similar programs. The analysis is inductive in nature, and we arrived at four lessons that are presented as analogical representations. The first finding is that literacy development among school children needs creative and innovative ideas. The second is that these innovative ideas are delivered in context and become situated practice. The third lesson is that literacy development among children requires genuine partnerships with stakeholders in society, and, fourth, that literacy skills could be enhanced through involving role models.

Author Biographies

  • Jeremy Dorovolomo, University of the South Pacific
    Senior Lecturer, University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji.
  • Loriza Zinnie Rafiq, University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji.
    Ms Loriza Zinnie Rafiq is a teaching assistant in the School of Pacific Arts, Communication and Education, University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji.

Downloads

Published

2021-11-16

Issue

Vol. 20 No. 2 (2021): Special Issue: Festival of OCIES 2020

Section

Festival of OCIES 2020

License

The International Education Journal: Comparative Perspectives is the official journal of the Oceania Comparative and International Education Society. The IEJ, (ISSN 1443-1475), publishes a general volume bi-annually in July and December and also publishes Special Editions occasionally. It is a free, open-access scholarly journal, managed by volunteers. There are no article processing charges, or any charges to authors.

In relation to intellectual property, as of 2020, the IEJ: CP claims only first publication rights; copyright of all work published in the journal remains with the authors under Creative Commons copyright license CC-BY-ND (4.0). Author(s) retain all rights to their works, ensuring that reference to the International Education Journal: Comparative Perspectives is clearly stated on any copies made or distribution. Submissions must not involve third parties with a claim to copyright, and be the sole work of the author(s). It is the responsibility of the author(s) to secure permission to reproduce photographs, illustrations, figures or tables. Single images, tables or figures can be re-used . If more than a single image or table are to be re-used authors must attribute first publication to IEJ: CP notify the IEJ: CP Editor. Authors may also make derivative works which are subject to these limitations.

See https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/ for more detail.

Re-distributed or used material must be referenced to the International Education Journal: Comparative Perspectives.