A recent survey 'Kids and Family Reading Report' conducted by Scholastic publishing house and YouGov reveals that only 32 percent of the children read 24 books annually although the parents of these children wish them to read more.
Findings from the report
- Every 3 of 10 children, falling in the age group of 6-17, read 24 non-syllabus books annually for pleasure
- Only 50 per cent students read class books on working days
- Children's reading habits are highly influenced by parent's reading habits
- About 85 per cent of the children preferred being read aloud by their parents
- Around 70 per cent of the children between the age group 7-16 love to read those books which make them laughs
- Almost every child is more devoted to reading when the books are chose by them.
What is wrong with the scenario?
- There are around 1, 000 librarian post lying vacant across the schools in Mumbai
- Easy access to internet amongst school children is bringing down the use of read printed books
- Poorly organized reading periods in schools. "Library periods are used up by teachers to complete their portion," said Father Francis Swamy, principal of the St Mary's (ICSE) School, Mazgaon
Around 85 per cent of the parents want their children to read more.
"Although the state school education department started holding 'drop everything and read' day annually to promote reading among students, many government-aided schools don't even have full-time librarians, "said Swamy