JERSEY students have a worryingly “high degree of ambivalence” towards reading, a new study of more than 4,500 children has shown.
The research, commissioned by the Reading Island Network and conducted by The Open University’s Literacy and Social Justice Centre, gathered information about reading habits, attitudes and experiences.
A total of 39.7% of primary school students and 38.7% of KS3 secondary school students reported enjoying reading. A slightly larger proportion describe reading as ‘ok’ and, when combined with a fifth of students who “don’t like reading”, 60% of KS2 and 61.3% of KS3 do not report the experience of reading as enjoyable.
The report said this is “worrying”, adding that this showed there is a “high degree of ambivalence and negativity deserves focused attention”.
The research suggested that children would be encouraged to read more if they had more time to read, chose their own books, had greater access to libraries and librarians and a wider choice of books and opportunities to talk about reading with others.
Education Minister Catherine Curtis said: “This research gives us invaluable insight into the reading lives of children and young people in Jersey.
“Most importantly, it gives young people a voice and helps us understand what they believe will make the biggest difference.”
She added: “Reading for pleasure plays a vital role in literacy, learning, confidence, and wellbeing. These findings provide a strong foundation on which we can build.
“I would like to thank every child, young person, teacher, and school who contributed. Their views will help shape Jersey’s first Reading for Pleasure Strategy and support out ambition to create a culture where reading is valued, visible and accessible to all.”
