Building a love for reading, one page at a time
A simple, feel-good initiative that encourages children to read regularly at home, with the warm support of their families. The focus is on consistency, enjoyment and a positive relationship with books, without pressure or competition.
Register your childHow the Challenge Works
The challenge is designed to be low-admin for schools, easy for families and uplifting for children.
Register
Parents register their child online using the short form below.
Read at home
Children read at their own pace, tracked in a simple, trust-based reading log.
Share your count
At the start of Term 4 we invite families to submit their reading count, based on honesty.
Receive your certificate
Certificates of Participation are sent to participating schools at year-end for distribution to learners.
Key Dates for 2027
Opens 13 January 2027
Closes 28 February 2027. Register early so your child is included from the start.
Gentle reminder
A reminder to keep reading together, with a free printable for the school holidays.
Gentle reminder
A reminder to keep the reading habit going through the mid-year break.
Gentle reminder
A final push before year-end, with another printable for the holidays.
Submit your count
Please submit your child’s reading count by 15 October 2027. We will send the link to the count form in Term 4.
Certificates
Certificates are issued and sent to participating schools for distribution in November 2027.
Who Can Take Part?
- Learners from any South African school
- Children of all reading levels
- Families who would like to build a gentle reading habit at home
Any age-appropriate books may be included: school readers, library books or books from home. Parents remain responsible for choosing suitable material.
Download the official reading log here and tag us when you share updates: AMWASA Reading Challenge 2027 reading log
A Trust-Based Approach
This challenge operates on trust and honour. There is no daily verification and no proof is required. We encourage families to take part with sincerity, remembering that the true reward lies in the habit formed.
Every page read with good intention counts.
For Schools
We understand the workload educators carry, especially at the start of the year. The challenge has been structured so that:
- Schools only need to share the challenge with their families
- Teachers are not required to track reading or collect logs
- All registrations, reminders, correspondence and administration are handled by AMWASA
Schools will receive Certificates of Participation at year-end for distribution to their learners.
Certificates
All eligible participants will receive a Certificate of Participation at no cost to families or schools. Certificates are sent to participating schools at year-end.
Register Your Child
Registration is simple and takes only a few minutes.
Important Notes
- This challenge is hosted and administered by AMWASA, not by the school
- All queries and correspondence should be directed to AMWASA (details below)
- Participation is based on honesty and trust
- Personal information is used only for the administration of the challenge
Contact AMWASA
Share your reading journey and tag @amwasa_network. Encourage siblings, cousins and friends to join in!
Every page counts
Join families across South Africa in building a reading habit that lasts.
Register now