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Reading is one of the most important skills that we acquire
during our school years. However, in many schools, reading is only
considered as a means to prepare for examinations, and students are not
encouraged to read for pleasure. This lack of emphasis on reading not only
limits students' knowledge but also affects their language skills. In this
article, I argue that schools should allocate more time for reading English
books, especially non-academic books, to instill a reading culture among
students.
The current standard of English among students is not satisfactory. Although
the ministry of education has introduced English literature at the secondary
level, the prescribed novels and short stories are inadequate to improve
students' language skills. In order to enhance students' language abilities,
schools should encourage them to read English books that have literary value
and merit. These books can not only improve students' language skills but
also increase their general knowledge.
The reading culture must be instilled at a young age, and schools play a
crucial role in this regard. While some students have the advantage of
highly educated parents who encourage them to read widely, others are not so
fortunate. Schools can bridge this gap by allocating at least two free
periods each week for reading. Each classroom should be well-stocked with
books, and students should be encouraged to read at least three books per
week. An English language teacher or an existing English teacher should be
appointed to discuss the books that students have read, focusing on their
literary merits and criticisms. In this way, students are not only taught
critical thinking skills but also nurtured to think and discuss openly about
a variety of issues.
The school library also has a crucial role to play in promoting the reading
culture. Currently, school libraries mostly stock academic books, and very
few acclaimed works of fiction by great writers such as VS Naipaul, Salman
Rushdie, Timothy Mo, local writers, and even classical writers such as Mark
Twain, Charles Dickens, RL Stevenson, John Steinbeck, and Vladimir Nabokov
are available. The school library should be well-stocked with a variety of
books to cater to the different interests of students.
Assigning students tasks related to the books they have read is also
important. This will help students to strengthen their writing skills and
not feel intimidated when they enter university and have to research books
written and available only in English.
In conclusion, schools play a critical role in instilling the reading
culture among students. Allocating more time for reading English books,
especially non-academic books, and appointing English language teachers to
discuss these books, stocking school libraries with a variety of books, and
assigning tasks related to these books will go a long way in improving
students' language skills and increasing their general knowledge. It is my
belief that by taking these steps, schools can instill a reading culture
among students, and students themselves will eventually develop an interest
in the language and try their best to improve themselves without prompting
from school authorities and teachers. |
