Juta and Scholastic Join Forces to Distribute Children's Books and Educational Materials in South Africa

NEW YORK, Dec. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Juta and Company, South Africa's longest standing book publisher and retailer, has announced that effective January 2011, it will be the exclusive distributor of Scholastic children's books and educational materials in the trade and school markets in South Africa. Scholastic Inc. is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology and children's media.

Juta also announced that the two companies will explore local publishing projects as well as opportunities to create Scholastic titles appropriate for the South African school market that meet curriculum requirements.  

Since 1920, teachers and parents worldwide have recognized Scholastic as the most trusted name in learning and literacy. Each year the company distributes more than half a billion books to children around the globe. This year in recognition of its 90th anniversary and its mission to support every child's right to read, Scholastic has launched a global literacy campaign asking everyone to join the effort to encourage children to read every day and lead a better life.

"At a time when addressing children's literacy levels has become an imperative, our relationship with Scholastic enables us to focus on encouraging South African children to learn to read and love to learn while helping teachers, schools and parents to support them," said Lynne Du Toit, CEO at Juta and Company, "Recognizing that literacy is the cornerstone of a child's intellectual and personal growth, we are also able to offer meaningful, tried and tested solutions to motivate children and help them to succeed."

Established in 1853, Juta has long been synonymous with quality learning and enjoys a high level of recognition and trust among educators, students, parents and professional practitioners in South Africa. As that country's leading publisher of local academic textbooks and legal information both in print and digital format, Juta has enjoyed sustained growth in recent years in its quest to become South Africa's premier provider of learning and information solutions.

"Juta's unique combination of retail, publishing and distribution, as well as its training and electronic capabilities make the company an ideal partner," said Shane Armstrong, President of Scholastic International. "Our complementary capabilities and shared visions provide a strong foundation for fostering literacy and learning in the region."

About Scholastic

Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books and a leader in educational technology and related services and children's media. Scholastic creates quality books, print and technology-based learning materials and programs, magazines, multi-media and other products that help children learn both at school and at home. The Company distributes its products and services worldwide through a variety of channels, including school-based book clubs and book fairs, retail stores, schools, libraries, on-air, and online at www.scholastic.com.

About Juta

Juta is respected as South Africa's pre-eminent academic and law publisher and is renowned for its quality academic, legal, and professional publications in both print and electronic format. Juta's training unit offers accredited training programmes for adult education and professional development while Juta Bookshops and e-commerce store, jutaonline.co.za, service tertiary institutions, schools, students, parents and teachers with a comprehensive range of prescribed texts and supplemental learning resources nationwide.

SOURCE Scholastic Corporation