Dundee's Education Convener admits more children need to be reading

Stewart Hunter says it's a top priority to get more youngsters interested in books

Dundee City Chambers, where the city council meets.
Author: Paul ReillyPublished 26th Apr 2023
Last updated 26th Apr 2023

Dundee City Council's Education Convener says it is a top priority for them to get more school children reading.

It's after a major study, released yesterday, found less and less youngsters up and down Scotland are motivated to pick up a book.

READ MORE: Dundee uni professor says school pupils are reading too many easy books

Councillor Stewart Hunter has said it is disappointing that the number of children reading is in decline.

He also explains "I want to get our numbers not only back to where they were before Covid but increasing.

"I think it is very important we put things in place to support young people with their reading and that's something that has been a key part of our Covid Recovery".

READ MORE: Tayside school pupils begin six week exam diet

Dundee City Council already have a number of practices in place to help develop and improve literacy rates.

There is already a ten-year literacy campaign in the city - the first of its kind in Scotland.

Despite Scottish pupils accused of reading easy books, Mr Hunter has said schools in Dundee are encouraging young people to read challenging and complex stories.

He added "There is a lot of things young people need support on and obviously literacy is a key thing.

"I think there is a broader picture it as well that we need to continue to support pupils as they overcome those challenges following the pandemic."

"We really want to get back to the levels we had before Covid-19."

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