French government’s call for ‘immediate mobilization’ to promote children’s reading

According to the Iran Book News Agency (IBNA), citing Local France, following the release of a national study on the worrying decline in reading among the younger generation, the French government has announced an extensive program centered on ‘immediate mobilization’ to support reading habits in children and teenagers. This decision was made after the organization of the ‘National Reading Meeting for Youth’ (États généraux de la lecture pour la jeunesse), which brought together cultural officials, researchers, authors, teachers, and reading promotion bodies, providing a detailed picture of the current state of reading in France.

Based on findings from the National Book Center of France, compiled with the participation of 36,000 citizens aged 7 to 19, French children and teenagers read an average of only 19 minutes per day. In contrast, their daily screen time, including mobile phones, computers, and television, is reported to be over three hours; a figure indicating that the new generation engages with digital content ten times more than reading.

Édouard Geffray, Minister of National Education, referring to the downward trend in reading interest, stated that this process should not be considered ‘inevitable.’ He added: ‘The decline in reading cannot be seen as the inevitable destiny of future generations, but immediate action is necessary.’ Rachida Dati, Minister of Culture, also expressed full support from her ministry for promotional programs, emphasizing that books must regain their place among children’s daily entertainment and activities.

Another section of the study states that 38% of teenagers aged 16 to 19 do not read for pleasure. According to experts present at the meeting, this figure shows a rising trend, especially in ‘college’ (lower secondary school). Furthermore, a gender gap in reading interest increases from around ages 13 to 14, with boys distancing themselves from books more than girls; a subject that Geffray attributed to some teenagers’ ‘gendered perception’ of reading.

According to a report by the Ministry of Culture, Regional Directorates of Cultural Affairs (DRAC) currently support 300 associations active in reading promotion. Additionally, in 2022, municipalities and local authorities collectively spent 1.6 billion euros on the construction, development, and operation of over 16,000 libraries and media centers; an extensive network that France considers one of the main pillars of its cultural literacy.

Despite this level of investment, experts present at the national reading meeting called for structural strengthening and long-term planning. At the conclusion of the meeting, they presented a set of 15 proposals that will form the basis of a ten-year reading promotion program.

The first focus of this proposed document is restoring the pleasure of reading to the daily lives of children and teenagers; an issue that emphasizes the role of early literacy, diversifying educational texts, and implementing programs to ‘modernize the image of books’ in the minds of the new generation.

The second focus is institutionalizing reading from birth to age 18. This section emphasizes the role of families and childcare providers in shaping daily habits, including reading before bed; a habit that experts say can significantly impact children’s long-term interest in reading.

The third focus of the program is creating continuity among all individuals and institutions working with children; from teachers and educators to librarians and local cultural activists. This section emphasizes upgrading professional training for teachers in reading promotion and developing cooperation between educational and cultural institutions.

According to the organizers, the full report of the national reading meeting, including statistical analyses and proposed programs, will be published in the coming days and will form the basis for the French government’s new policy in the field of reading promotion.