CULTIVATING A READING CULTURE AMONG STUDENTS IS THE FOCUS OF TODAY’S VIEWPOINT. IT IS WRITTEN BY HEAD OF OPERATIONS, PENSIONERS FM, IBIWUNMI ISHOLA
In the fast-paced digital era dominated by technology and instant gratification, the invaluable skill of reading seems to be fading among students.
Beyond its role as a fundamental professional skill, reading serves as a gateway to exploring creative, informative, and inspiring works of literature that enrich life experience.
The concern at hand is the dwindling reading habits among students, a challenge that demands urgent attention.
Parents, often caught in the whirlwind of modern life, play a crucial role in instilling a love for reading in their children.
However, the prevailing trend sees students opting for video games, social media and television over the company of a good book.
The root cause lies in the lack of emphasis on developing reading culture from an early age.
Fostering a love for reading demands time, dedication, and the application of effective methods.
transforming a child or student into a passionate reader may seem like a herculean task, but with the right strategies, it can be achieved.
Some of these strategies are creating a dedicated reading space, encouraging reading based on individual interests, organizing library excursions, and inundate students with the presence of books, setting examples both at home and in the classroom.
Recent concerns about the decline in students’ motivation to read have permeated discussions among educators and parents alike.
Research indicates that this lack of enthusiasm contributes to academic setbacks, including poor writing skills and limited comprehension of class materials.
The responsibility is not just to get students to start reading but to instill a genuine enjoyment of the activity.
A robust foundation in reading, established both at home and in schools, is the key to transforming the society into one that values and cherishes reading.
Regular and keen engagement with diverse reading materials is crucial for students to acquire knowledge, which, in turn, fuels their personal development.
Students who develop a love for reading become reservoirs of ideas, equipped to overcome challenges in various facets of life.
However, the landscape of education is not without challenges as factors such as the quality of teaching staff, inadequate remuneration, and a lack of modern teaching facilities contribute to the decline in reading habits among primary and secondary school students.
Solutions to this educational problem include the need to declare a state of emergency in the education sector, recruit only qualified teachers, who must register with teachers registration council of Nigeria (TRCN), and regular conduct of competency tests for both primary and secondary school teachers.
In conclusion, the urgency of nurturing reading culture among students can not be overstated, especially in the face of the prevalent use of social media.
As the era of information and communication technologies unfolds, teachers and parents must adopt diverse strategies to ignite students’ interest in reading from a young age.
This collective efforts are the cornerstone of building a generation that not only excels academically but also embraces the lifelong benefits of reading.
