Parents, education system faulted for poor reading culture among youth

By ISAAC KHISA
Published September 15, 2009

The debate on the declining reading culture among African students and the young generation has been a hot topic among top scholars and writers across the continent. Questions have been asked on who is responsible for the declining reading culture. Some blame the parents as well as the government for not encouraging a reading culture, while others blame the education system.

Such were the concerns raised when African writers met in Kampala at Hotel Triangle recently, to promote reading culture and increase book sales. The writers blamed both the parents and the African education system for the poor reading culture among the young generation.

While signing and launching newly published books by World Alive publishers, the authors expressed their disappointment in the current education system in many African countries that tie students towards reading textbooks purely for passing exams.

“The education system that we have is too oppressive, it needs students to read too much for the sake of passing examinations from primary to the university,” Justice James Ogoola, a Ugandan judge cum writer, said.

He noted that even university graduates suffer from literary fatigue after over reading books while at school and therefore instead of enjoying book reading for leisure after studies, they react negatively towards reading.

Justice Ogoola also blamed the poor reading culture among students on the parents’ failure to encourage their children to read.

The debate went on with Dr. Adeyemo Tokunboh, a Nigerian writer arguing that “the reading culture of the current generation is not driven as it was with the earlier generation. They spend more time watching TVs, movies and so relaxed on reading books”. He added: “If you want to hide a treasure from an African, just put it in book because you will never get an opponent.”

The writer said even those who read do not read books authored by African writers, something that has limited the growth of the African books.

“Few people in the African continent read books and those few read 80 per cent books from the west,” Mr. Anthony Gitonga, a Kenyan writer concurred.

Pastor Fred Geke, also from Kenya noted that, “even those who read do not invest in books but simply borrow.”

The writers said there’s urgent need for African leaders to spearhead a reading culture, a practice that will encourage young children to read.

“Leaders of every category should appreciate that reading is a necessity, and therefore there is need for encouraging creativity through writing, art and film,” Justice Ogoola said. He appealed to leaders to appreciate and defend those who come up with creative work.

He urged leaders to also read, comprehend and practice what the message intends them to do rather than relying on politics.

The writers suggested a review of curricula to enable students have time allocated to reading novels and other general reader books. They also urged parents to buy books for their children for reading as well as reviewing books with them for purposes of inspiration.

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