From 1991-1993 NRP had two main areas of focus - the production of 30 easy readers in English and Zulu and the publication of a research report documenting the main research findings.

In 1994/5 NRP received funding to translate five titles into African languages. Thus NRP published a further 10 titles, (5 in Xhosa and 5 in Sotho), appropriate for adults who had just learned to read. This enabled them to practice, (and thereby entrench), their reading skills in their own language.

In 1996/7 the focus of NRP work was on the marketing and promotion of existing titles. The Project was funded over this period from the income from the sale of books. International agents were appointed and the sale of English titles, particularly in international markets, kept the project going.

Funding was received in 1997 for a three-year project (1998 – 2000) to develop beginner readers in African languages. The programme included a capacity-building component that involved running writing/editing training workshops with mother-tongue speakers of the chosen languages. The workshops aimed to train participants to write and edit fiction for beginner readers in their own languages. The programme also provided for certain stories to be selected for publication.

From 1998 – 2000 NRP published 28 readers for newly literate adults in English, Zulu, Tsonga, Tswana, Sepedi (Sesotho sa Leboa), Venda, Ndebele and Swazi. During this period NRP also published 3 Afrikaans titles and reprinted 8 titles. NRP held Writers’ Workshops and “Promoting Reading” workshops during these years.

In 2001 NRP published 2 English/Zulu dual text readers, and began a critical evaluation of NRP’s impact over the past decade. This culminated in the publication of an Evaluation Report in August 2002, containing valuable information for ABET materials developers/publishers.

In 2001 NRP also ran a “Promoting Reading “workshop in Mpumalanga.

In 2002 NRP also published 6 level 1 readers in Sepedi (Sesotho sa Leboa). NRP held 3 “Promoting Reading” workshops in the Western Cape.

In 2003 NRP published 10 new level 1 English readers. NRP held 3 workshops in KwaZulu-Natal this year and 1 in the Western Cape. Two Members of staff udertook a 2 ½ sales marketing trip in 2003, visiting ABET practitioners and other clients in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and the Northwest Province.

In 2004 Sonya Keyser and Elda Lyster from NRP (Howard College Campus) with John Aitchison and Sandra Land from the Centre for Adult Education (Pietermaritzburg Campus), were contracted by Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF) to publish a report on the eleven South African Projects that RBF have funded in South Africa which link literacy instruction with development work. The outcome of this project is a publication highlighting the lessons learned and the challenges faced by these initiatives. This publication is of use to literacy practitioners and community development workers.

In 2004 NRP also developed and published 5 Teachers’ Resource Materials (T.R.M’s), containing ideas and exercises based on previously published readers.

In the first half of 2005 the NRP used the database to focus on the private sector in KwaZulu-Natal and the role of the various SETAs in ABET provision. We also undertook more sales and marketing “repping” trips, visiting potential and existing clients, particularly in KZN.  

In 2005 NRP reprinted 13 titles.

In 2006, the NRP published another Mkhize book, in collaboration with the Learn with Echo project, based at the Centre for Adult Education on the Pietermaritzburg campus. This is a dual-text English and Zulu book, "UMkhize namaswidi othando/Mkhize and the Love Sweets". The Mkhize stories appear in Learn with Echo, a weekly supplement to the Natal Witness Echo.

In 2006 NRP also published a teachers’ resource book based on 6 already published Zulu level one readers. The exercises help prepare learners for the ABET Level 1 examination and to develop reading fluency and a positive attitude towards reading amongst literacy and second language learners. The exercises cover all the specific outcomes for the Language and Communications Unit Standards that are relevant for literacy learners at ABET Level 1. The teachers’ resource books contain extensive general notes for the language or literacy teacher and worksheets for the learners (which can be photocopied).

The entire Zulu text of this book is repeated in English at the back of the book. This is intended to be of assistance to teachers who are Zulu second language speakers and to improve the English language skills of Zulu speaking teachers.

To date NRP has published at ABET levels 1 – 3. Recently the number of requests for Level 4 readers has increased. NRP will be publishing readers at level 4 in English in 2007. This means that NRP will have books suitable for everyone, from beginner to fluent readers. We will also publish a Read about your Rights book on the Government grants system at either Level 1 or 2.