Too many pupils are shunning novels by authors such as Roald Dahl, Michael Morpurgo, Jacqueline Wilson and JK Rowling because of key weaknesses in the teaching of English, it was claimed. Nick Gibb, the Schools Minister, said all children should be expected to read the Harry Potter novels by the end of primary school but “can’t enjoy these brilliant books because they haven’t learnt to read properly”.

He quoted figures from a major international report showing that almost four-in-10 teenagers in England never read for pleasure – considerably more than in other countries. His comments come as the Government prepares to introduce a new compulsory reading test for all six-year-olds in state education to identify those struggling the most at a young age.

Mr Gibb also unveiled plans to stage a national reading competition to encourage nine- to 12-year-olds to “read voraciously at school and for pleasure at home. We need to do more to encourage children to read for pleasure and to develop a life-long love of reading,” he said.
Addressing the North of England Education Conference in Leeds, he added: “We’re lucky that some of the most magical and exciting children’s books ever written have been written in the English language – the works of Roald Dahl, Michael Morpurgo, Jacqueline Wilson; Harry Potter and Narnia; the Wind in the Willows and Winnie the Pooh. By the end of primary school, all children should be able to read and enjoy books like Harry Potter. But too many children can’t enjoy these brilliant books because they haven’t learnt to read properly.”

Currently, as many as one-in-six children are still struggling to read when they leave primary school, figures show. One-in-10 boys aged 11 has a reading age no better a seven-year-old.

Source: Telegraph