Reading skills of Dutch children continue to decline, action is needed

Some 18 libraries, educational organisations as well as youth health organisations have called for an ‘inclusive reading offensive’ to combat the declining literacy among children and adults. International research has shown that the reading skills of Dutch children, particularly those in vocational education and with a migrant background, are deteriorating and that fewer children enjoy reading. ‘When children leave primary school most children can read to an acceptable level but once they go to secondary school a significant group doesn’t read enough to maintain the skill,’ Gerlien van Dalen, chairwoman of reading promotion organisation Leescoalitie told the AD. According to teacher Didy Pijper, even children who love to read when they leave primary school say they all but stopped once they started secondary school.