The Rising Population ·of Aliterates in Nigerian Schools:Role of School Libraries
2011; University of Idaho Library; Linguagem: Inglês
ISSN
1522-0222
Autores Tópico(s)Library Science and Information Literacy
ResumoIntroduction Nigeria can become a major force in Africa and indeed world, if proper policies and structures are in place to entrench good reading culture. rising population of reluctant readers in this age of information explosion is disturbing. Chinelo (2010) in Nation Newspaper of May 27th noted that no society can develop more than knowledge base of its citizens. He decried dying culture of reading among children as leaders of tomorrow. This is pathetic state of Nigerian society. It is either Nigerians are not reading or if they do, do so reluctantly. Nigeria as a society is composed of partially-literate, aliterate, and literate avid readers. partially literates can neither read nor write but have acquired informal education. literate avid readers are highly motivated individuals who take delight in reading. They read with passion and for pleasure. They naturally love and enjoy reading. Aliterates however, can read but refuse to read and if they read, do so reluctantly. They are uncommitted and occasionally motivated to do so. They lack enthusiasm for reading and always have reasons why they would not read. Aliteracy is here with us and we cannot run away from this fact. In most Nigerian schools, youths or students are hardly seen around reading except for reasons of test, examination or homework. They are not easily given to reading for love of doing so. Instead most engage in group discussions or gossip, cracking of jokes, indoor games e.g. cards, cludo, chest etc during free periods. They also use break periods to play football and other outdoor games. Furthermore, students who have access to computers and internet facilities prefer to browse, chat, send email, sms, facebook, yahoo messanger, play computer games. While at home students most times play football, watch Television entertainment programmes such as drama, films, comedies, listening to music, watch dancing competitions and so on in absence of house hold chores. Occasionally we see isolated cases of students engaged in reading as a recreation. Something must be wrong somewhere A few years back situation was different. It used to be a thing of pride to be seen reading. Today even few people who have advantage of having books to read do not read. There are more than enough activities competing for little available time to students. In past, there were more students who took on reading as a hobby than today. A famous quote by Mark Twain states it best: The man who does not read good books has no advantage over man who can't read them. purpose of education is to give students every advantage at making a good life for themselves, and one way is to take advantage of richness and benefits of reading (The Mark Twain Circle of New York, 1998). Statement of Objectives study aims at achieving following: Identification of factors militating against reading habits of students Highlight consequences of not reading on individuals and society Examine ways of tackling aliteracy Identify of role of school teachers in reading promotion Examine role of school library in promoting reading in secondary schools Literature Review Developing deliberate love and passion for reading is imperative and involves self discipline. Sangkaeo (1999) noted that the numbers of those who can read but do not read enough are increasing. It has also been observed that aliterates in society have outnumbered illiterates (Beers, 1996). Factors Encouraging Aliteracy Reading is a life decision individuals must make. Many teenage reluctant readers have never given reading a chance. Quite a number of factors have been identified as responsible for dying reading culture; while some factors are physical, others are psychological. psychological factors include: Lack of enthusiasm, urge, drive, desire, and motivation to read. …
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