Internet use identified as bane to reading culture of students

20-02-14  

A cross section of students at the launch

The Administrator, Ghana Association of writers, GAW, Ebo Assan Donkoh, has described as worrisome, the manner at which students applies themselves to modern technology at the expense of their books. He observed that student’s lackadaisical attitude to reading gives cause for concern and attributed the major cause to regular internet use by students. The advent of information technology the world over, he explained, has revolutionized the reading habits of young people especially in second cycle schools. The turn of event, he noted, have reduced interest in reading of printed materials, vocabulary development, general knowledge and broadmindedness. Mr. Donkoh, expressed the worry at the regional launch of the Association’s school outreach programme in Bolgatanga.  The launch, attended by selected Senior High Schools, SHSs, in the region was on the theme: ‘Nurturing Reading and Writing in schools”. Mr  Donkoh stated that though internet use has to a larger extent enhanced students’ learning experiences and paved way for information sharing and research, reading online screens tends to be significantly different from reading printed text.  For him, parents and teachers have a greater responsibility of instilling regular reading habit in children. The Regional Chief Inspector of Schools, Madison Amokase, told Radio Ghana that reading as an activity and reading proficiency have for the past decade declined significantly, resulting in  fallen academic standards, particularly, at the basic level. In view of the situation, his outfit has put in measures to whip the interest of reading among students and mentioned effective monitoring and supervision as some of the interventions. He said for the country to restore the culture of reading, students at the basic level should be encouraged to read to enable them unearth their literary skills. The Vice President of GAW, Dr. Gheysika Agambilla, was hopeful that reading and writing can be restored to their former glory, if schools find it necessary to form literary clubs. According to him, GAW and the Ghana Education have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that gives GAW access to more than 500 SHSs across the country to form and run literary clubs. He urged the beneficiary schools to ensure the sustainability of the clubs by monitoring their activities.

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