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Are elementary school children reading more than in the past?

November 13, 2009

child_reading_arkworld_flickr.jpgIn this age of TV and computer games it is often thought that children must be reading less and less. But is this really the case? According to a new survey by the Ministry of Education, the average number of library books checked out by elementary school children in 2007 was 35.9. This is the highest figure since records began in 1954.

One reason is almost certainly the increase in the number of libraries. The Daily Yomiuri reported that, 'According to the latest survey, the number of public and private libraries across the nation stood at an all-time high of 3,165, as of Oct. 1 last year' and went on to say that, 'the survey found about 3.98 million primary school students were registered as library users in the 2007 academic year. The average user in this category checked out 35.9 books, up 2.9 books compared with the previous survey. Based on the latest figure, the registered primary school students are estimated to have read a book every 10 days. '

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