A recent investigation by Tianjin Institute of Educational Sciences reflects that the kids there tend to read less and less as their age grows. The reading rate of elementary school pupils is 62.8%, and that of junior and senior high school students is 48.7% and 39.6% respectively.
The investigation covers 14,000 students aged between 10 and 17 in 235 elementary and high schools, only to find that many kids today are not willing to read. The favorite pastime of most kids is watching TV. Only 30.5% of the respondents claim that they enjoy reading.
Researchers believe that it is not only the kids' fault, for many of them can't afford the time to read, and some others don't have books to read. Statistics show that over 30% of students have less than 10 books, and 60% having less than 20 books (for out-of-class reading). There are less than 20 books in 40% of Tianjin families.
(Chinanews.cn April 25, 2007)
