|
Operating with a small core staff
NRP has a core staff of 3 people (2 of whom are part-time) who perform the following functions:
- -Recruitment of potential writers/editors
- -Training of writers/editors
- -Selection and editing of manuscripts
- -Co-ordinating testing of draft manuscripts
- -Commissioning of illustrations
- -Co-ordinating the publication of new titles and reprints
- -Marketing and promotion of publications
- -Distribution and sales
- -Financial control and administration
Workshops on aspects of materials development and reading promotion
NRP contracts out other aspects of the work, for example, design and layout and specialist language advice.
The dedication and range of abilities of these staff members is evident in the volume of work covered and the number of books that have been published and distributed.
Range of language, level and type of publication
The current list of NRP titles consists of 15 Zulu, 4 Xhosa, 4 Sotho, 27 English, 3 Afrikaans, 7 dual-texts (6 English/Zulu, 1 English/Sepedi), 3 Tsonga, 8 Sepedi (Sesotho sa Leboa), 3 Tswana, 3 Venda, 3 Ndebele, 3 Swazi, 6 Teachers’ Resource Materials.
In addition NRP has published a a research report on the early work of the NRP and, in 2004, a report commissioned by Rockefeller Brothers Fund called ‘Linking Literacy to Development in South Africa”.
NRP also has 4 videos on its current list, developed by the Centre for Adult Education at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Pietermaritzburg. Please see the NRP catalogue for details.
African language publishing
The above list represents a substantial contribution to the very small pool of easy readers for adults available in South Africa, especially at the very basic level and in African languages. Readers in these languages at this level are essential for the consolidation of newly acquired reading skills. NRP has published books in each of South Africa’s eleven official languages and has distributed some 200 000 books nationally and internationally. Refined and developed testing processes The books are tested extensively in various geographical regions which ensures that they are widely appropriate and accessible. This testing process is not common amongst most publishers because of the costs involved, especially in terms of time. NRP remains committed to this process as an invaluable way of getting feedback from the target audience.
Renowned quality of product
NRP has a policy of insisting on a high quality product. The books are produced using good paper and durable, full-colour covers. This is in part a stand against the fact that historically, educational materials for the disadvantaged populations of South Africa were cheap, unattractive, second-rate publications.
Involvement in the broader context of National ABET
As one of the projects located in the Centre for Adult Education (which forms part of the School of Adult and Higher Education at the University of KwaZulu-Natal), NRP staff keep up to date with current developments in the ABET field. NRP staff are also thoroughly acquainted with the requirements of the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) and the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
Extracts used in other publications: Permissions granted 1998 – 2004
-
-On request NRP granted the South African Braille Library permission to translate almost all the NRP titles into braille.
-
-Extracts of five books are being used in the ASECA Integrated Social Studies Course being published by Juta and Co/SACHED books.
-
-Extracts from four books are being used in the ELP (English Literacy Project) Level 3 course -Enjoying Books! published by ViVa/ELP/Juta and Co.
-
-Extracts from one of the NRP "Read about your rights" series are being used in the -Educational Support Services Trust (an NGO specialising in educational materials development) adult education magazine.
-
-The University of Ulster was granted permission to use extracts from an NRP book in materials designed for use in rural schools in KwaZulu-Natal
-
-Shuter and Shooter (Pty) Ltd requested permission to publish extracts of an NRP title in their -Grade 8 textbook to be published in October 2000.
-
-Tape Aids for the Blind, Durban were granted permission to record two titles as talking books for the use of blind and /or visually impaired people in October 2002.
-
-The Queens Borough Public Library, New York, was granted permission in April 2001, to record 4 NRP titles onto audio tape for use by adult new readers in their literacy programme.
-
-In 2004 Shuter and Shooter (Pty) Ltd was granted permission to use extracts of 2 NRP titles, “Thami the Truck Driver”, and “The Tree Man” for use in two separate readers for the school market.
Advocacy and dissemination of information about ABET publishing/post- literacy
In addition to direct promotion of NRP books, staff of the ABET programme at the School of Adult and Higher Education also promote the concept of the importance of easy readers in developing, supporting and sustaining literacy skills. Various articles have been written, workshops run and talks given over the years. Advice and assistance have been given to a range of commercial publishers and non-governmental organisations.
|
