An article was published recently in Good Weekend Magazine (The Sydney Morning Herald/The Age) on July 5 that raised concerns about the decline in reading amongst Australians, particularly school students.
A number of issues associated with reading and literacy were raised, which included the following:
- 29% of secondary school students no longer read for pleasure.
- Year 9 writing standards have slipped to the standard of a primary schooler.
- As many as one in three students in a typical classroom struggle with reading.
- Debates over how reading should be taught.
- Under-resourcing of school libraries and, in some schools, the removal of their libraries altogether.
- Decline in reading for leisure has resulted in poorer writing skills.
- Less critical engagement with texts in the classroom as a result of less reading.
- Difficulty in publishing successful titles. Fewer and fewer titles are being released each year that become "best sellers"
The role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Social Media was also explored, and the impact it has on reading and writing, e.g. ChatGPT can produce essays that cannot be detected as being AI-generated.
A warning is given: if we as a nation fail to address the decline in reading and literacy skills, there will be significant social and economic consequences in the years ahead.
I have always believed that reading underpins success in life. I believe that reading is an essential skill that one should possess, as it forms a foundation for success in learning and active participation in society.
This article will assist in library advocacy, particularly in highlighting the importance of reading to ones broader development, but also to boost reading and writing skills.
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