More Than 50% Of Pupils In Ghana Cannot Read In Both English And local Dialects

A recent research conducted across the country in various schools particularly at the lower primary levels indicates that about 51 per cent of the pupils cannot read in both English language and the other local dialects.

The Ashanti Regional Director of Education, Mary Owusu Achiaw made known at a durbar at Sanso in the Obuasi Municipality that only two per cent of the research respondents can read and understand and actually answer questions from passages in textbooks.

She highlighted some factors identified by the Ghana Education Service through periodic monitoring to be accounting for the poor reading habits of pupils.

These include the non-motivating attitude of teachers towards reading as well as the limited reading periods on time tables of schools.

Another factor observed with worry is the hoarding of reading books donated by international donor agencies by the authorities of some schools.

This, she noted had caused such agencies and organizations to withdraw support in this direction.

Mrs. Achiaw again emphasized the need for teachers to adopt new techniques that will encourage students to read.

She noted that through continuous reading, pupils would become knowledgeable on a wide range of relevant issues to manage for instance the environment, which according to her is gradually losing its richness due to illegal human activities and the effects of climate change.

She therefore advised parents and guardians to encourage their wards to read books regularly when at home instead of allowing them to watch television programs which have no good moral values.