Across the globe, a quiet but worrying trend is unfolding: students are reading less for pleasure. While they still engage with textbooks and exam material, the timeless joy of curling up with a book and immersing oneself in a story or perspective is fading.
This decline is not due to a lack of curiosity. On the contrary, today’s children have unprecedented access to knowledge. The real issue lies in the dominance of short, rapid content—reels, posts, and soundbites—which demand little reflection. Coupled with exam pressures, reading for leisure has been pushed aside.
Yet, reading is far more than a pastime. It sharpens imagination, builds empathy, and develops critical thinking. A child who reads widely—whether fiction, poetry, biographies, or editorials—learns to question, analyse, and create. As Roald Dahl once warned, when screens replace books, imagination is the first casualty. Digital platforms can assist, but they must not replace the irreplaceable experience of reading a book.
The good news is that this habit can be revived. Schools can make reading enjoyable by offering choice and introducing reading corners or dedicated hours. Technology can be blended wisely through e-books and online libraries. Parents, too, must model the habit, turning reading into a shared family experience. Most importantly, books should be linked to aspirations: a biography can inspire ambition, an editorial can nurture leadership, and a poem can unlock creativity.
Reviving the culture of reading requires collective effort—educators, families, and communities working together. Once children rediscover the magic of books, they not only grow as students but also as empathetic, imaginative human beings. Reading, ultimately, is not just about words—it is about expanding worlds.
