In 1974 the Project, based at Rhodes University and funded by a grant from the Molteno Brothers Trust from which it derives its name, began an extensive evaluation of English teaching in primary schools where African languages are spoken.

 

 

The investigation conducted by Prof Len Lanham and a primary school headmistress, Miriam Dakile, revealed that learners were failing to read in English largely because they were failing to learn to read in their mother tongue.