Report Reveals Teachers Concerns Over Reading

A new survey has revealed that more than two-fifths of UK teachers say children are turned off reading for pleasure by the time they finish primary school.

The survey, which questioned 410 secondary school English teachers, found the majority (94%) thought their pupils preferred to spend time online.

Two-thirds of those polled said pupils did not see reading as “cool”.

And 97% thought parents could do more to encourage their child to read.

The survey, carried out on behalf of publishers Pearson, found that nearly three-quarters (74%) warned that pupils did not spend enough time reading outside the classroom.

Schools Minister Nick Gibb said the findings of the survey were "no surprise" and that the government was working to encourage children to develop a love of reading. It would launch a national reading competition for schools for the next academic year, he said.

"In a world of so many distractions for young minds, the place of literature is more important than ever," he said.

"Children need to master the basics of reading as early as possible in primary school so they can then go on to explore magical and powerful books such as Private Peaceful, Harry Potter, and, in good time, books such as Lord of the Flies, Animal Farm and those by Charles Dickens."

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