Reading habits of senior secondary students at Allahabad City, U.P., India.
Kumar, Devendra ; Ansari, M.M.A. ; Shukla, Sanjay Kumar 等
Introduction
The school library is the central focus in the teaching and
learning process. The emphasis these days is very much on learning and
developing information acquisition skills, instead of teaching. Rather
that wait to be taught to master facts, students now needs to be taught
information acquisition skills and how to learn. The role of the
teacher-librarian, therefore, includes encouraging students to cultivate
both individual and collective habits of reading more especially when
reading is not part of our background at home.
One of the major goals of the school library is to inspire a love
for reading--to promote a reading culture among its users. This implies
the need to create the awareness of written letters, the need to read
not only textbooks but also to engage in creative, leisurely, and
pleasurable reading (Segum 1995). The library can do this by:
* Making available a collection of books, magazines and
audio-visual materials.
* Providing a conductive environment for:
* Reading,
* Writing,
* Story telling,
* Research; and even
* Debate and drama.
* Providing library and study skills on how to find books and
maximize their utility;
* Providing tips on reading skills through interactive talks, video
tapes and films; and
* Promoting a variety of activities that could enhance love of
reading and libraries.
Reading is usually a private act, a personal and individual
relationship with a book; but then, it is the environment as long as it
is favourable, which according to Gault (1982: p 16) encourage the
setting up of this relationship. The school library must in this case
serve as the needed environment. And this it should do, by integrating
itself completely into the educational system to achieve the overall
objectives of the school. And what, better ways are there to do this
than to stimulate the intellectual growth of the child through the
provision of appropriate instructional materials for teachers and
reading materials for students. It should go further by not only
transforming itself into a research centre of some sort where students
are taught how to sift data through independent reading, but also by
providing a workshop setting for supervised studies of individuals and
groups.
Previous Studies
This paper presents a selective review of studies conducted in
India and abroad, including Anderson (2007), Shahriza (2007), Train
(2007), Bostrom & Lassen (2006), Corradini (2006), Dent (2006),
Celep & Cetin (2005), Brier & Lebbin (2004), but this type of
research is unusual, since it studies the reading habit of the senior
secondary students. Schools curriculum incorporates an expressive and
exploratory from interactive education system, so that they develop an
inquisitive mind and discover the power of self-determination and
discipline to grow up into successful professionals and good human
beings.
Limitation of the Study
The present study is limited to the senior secondary students
belonging to five senior secondary schools i.e. Kendriya Vidyalaya New
Cantt, Maharishi Patanjali Vidya Mandir, Mary Lucas School, St.
Joseph's College, St. Mary's Convent Inter College of
Allahabad City, U.P. (India).
Objectives of the Study
The objectives of this study is to find out the mother tongue,
motives of study, reading materials borrowed from library, time spent
for the serious reading, use reference materials, languages of newspaper
that read daily, sections of newspapers read, place of reading, and to
develop some suggestions for solution of the problem. This study will
help to establish whether senior secondary schools are on par with their
peer in other countries in the acquisition of intellectual skills.
Methodology
The study uses the case study method. A well structured
questionnaire was designed and used for collecting data. The sample for
the study was selected purposefully from those noticed in the school
library more frequently. 400 questionnaires were distributed to the
senior secondary students i.e. class XII & XI. 75 returned from
Kendriya Vidyalaya New Cantt, 72 returned from Maharishi Patanjali Vidya
Mandir, 70 returned from Mary Lucas School, 70 returned from St.
Joseph's College, and 70 questionnaires returned from St.
Mary's Convent Inter College. Therefore, a total of 357
questionnaires were returned and used for this study. The results of the
findings were presented in tables using percentage.
Data Analysis and Discussion
The Table-2 shows that the 93.28% students mother tongue were as
Hindi, whereas 9.72% as mother tongue English.
The above Table-3 depicts that 46.78% students were read the books,
newspapers & magazines for getting the information, 38.09% students
to improve the general knowledge, 7.84% to derive pleasure, and 12% says
its hobby.
Table-4 reveals that most students study between 3 to 4 hours
daily.
The above Table-5 shows that 91.59% of students borrowed reading
materials from library.
Table-6 depicts that 78.83% of the students were borrowed reading
materials from library related to their subjects, whereas 20.17%
students were borrowed reading materials from library like recreational
materials.
(Multiple answers allowed)
The above Table-7 shows that 64.42% of students were used as
English languages for study, whereas 68.90% as Hindi, followed by 5.32%
students were used other languages.
Table-8 depicts that 63.86% of students were used reference
materials like dictionaries, 51.26% encyclopedias. 48.46% year books,
whereas 17.09% used maps, globes.
The above Table-9 shows that 88.79% of students were read English
newspaper daily, while 68.79% read Hindi newspapers.
Table-10 shows that 32.49% of students were like most sections of
newspaper i.e. sport news, 17.92% political news, 17.65% sensational
news, 13.16% cinema news, 9.52% advertisement, and 6.72% read editorial.
The least number of users i.e. 2.52% like letters to the editors.
The Table-11 shows that 64.42% students were read magazine like
reader digest, 61.06% competition success review, 33.05% blitz, 31.09%
India today, 30.81% physics today, 28.85% biology today, 27.45% science
reporter, 27.17% cricket today, 26.61% mathematics today, 25.21%
chemistry today, 24.92% science today, 24.37% outlook, 19.89% film
magazines, and 16.52% sports today. The least number of students were
read magazine like pc quest i.e.14.28%.
The above Table-12 shows that 48.74% students were read at home,
37.81% in school library, whereas 13.44% students were read at
public/local library.
The above Table-13 revealed that 59.94% of students their source of
getting books were the school library, 37.81% from friends, 19.05% home,
and 13.44% public library. Thus, the majority of the respondents sources
of getting information about books from school library.
The above Table-14 shows that for 5546% student's sources of
getting the newspaper and magazines were the individual subscription,
37.81% school library, 6.72% friends, and 6.44% getting from
public/local library.
Findings of the Study
* The result of the present study revealed that a majority of the
student's mother tongue is Hindi.
* The result of the present study revealed that a majority of the
students their reading motives is getting the information, and to
improve the general knowledge.
* The result of the present study revealed that a large majority of
the students study between 3 to 4 hours daily.
* The result of the present study revealed that most of the
students
borrow reading materials from their school library.
* The result of the present study revealed that a large majority of
the students reading materials related to their subjects.
* The result of the present study revealed that most of the
students proffered reading materials in Hindi and English languages.
* The present study most of the students used reference materials
like dictionary as well as encyclopaedia.
* The result of the present study revealed that a majority of the
students reading newspapers daily published in English as well as Hindi.
* The present study revealed that most of the students like sports
sections of the newspapers daily.
A large number of students are reading magazines like reader
digest, and competition success review.
* The result of the present study revealed that a majority of the
students reading place are their home, and school library.
* The result of the present study revealed that most of the
students getting reading materials from their school library.
* The result of the present study revealed that a majority of
students getting newspapers, and magazines by individual subscription.
Conclusion and Suggestions
The above findings of this study lead us to conclude that senior
secondary students need to improve their reading habits. It will be
beneficial to have a record of their reading habits in order to make
predictions about their academic success in the study. For effective
promotion of reading habits, skills and culture, reading must be made
pleasurable and voluntary. All shades of opinion must be catered for be
well considered. It is such a demonstration of democratic sensitivity
that can turn even a reluctant reader to a lover of books. In library
there should be adequate reading area and related facilities to
accelerate reading habits. There are still barriers to creating a
reading environment that will inculcate good reading habits in senior
secondary school students. The library is still the best place for quiet
study. A serious senior secondary student should give priority to
studying in the library. Library periods should be included in the time
table to improve the reading habits among students.
Book-discussion-clubs may be encouraged in each school. if a group of
students reads books and meets weekly to discuss the books they have
read, they may find a new sort of fellowship and they will able to speak
intelligently not only about books, but also about all problems. So book
club in each school may be encouraged by the authorities in order to
cultivate healthy reading habits among students. The production of
reading materials with Indian background for cultural reading should be
encouraged so as to enable students to know the greatness of our rich
culture and civilization. The findings of this survey lead us to
conclude that senior secondary students need to improve their reading
habits. It will be beneficial to have a record of their reading habits
in order to make predictions about their academic success in the
academic programme. Both librarians and other course lecturers concur
that generally their expectations of their students' reading
ability, have not been met. It would be helpful to librarians to have a
heightened awareness of the reading difficulties faced by our students.
One of the steps taken to minimise reading problems would be to
incorporate study skills components within the courses or to make
reading lists (in particular literature texts) more manageable. This
activity can assist in the promotion of autonomous learning and make
students more independent and resourceful. We hope senior secondary
students will continue to read after secondary exam passed when the
pressure to read is absent thereby helping to foster a reading culture
in our society.
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Devendra Kumar
Library Professional & Faculty
Department of Library & Information Science
Chaudhary Charan Singh University
Meerut, U. P. (India)
Dr. M. M. A. Ansari
Sr. Assistant Librarian & Course Co-ordinator
Dr. Zakir Husain Library, Jamia Milia Islamia
New Delhi (India)
Sanjay Kumar Shukla
Librarian
Sambhu Nath Institute of Engineering and Technology
Allahabad, U.P., India
Table 1: Size of the Sample
Class Class
XIIth XIth
Total
School DQ (RQ) DQ & RQ RQ
Kendriya Vidyalaya. New Cantt, Allahabad 35 (30) 45 (45) 75
Maharishi Patanjali Vidya Mandir 35 (35) 45 (37) 72
Mary Lucas School 35 (32) 45 (38) 70
St. Joseph's College 35 (29) 45 (41) 70
St. Mary's Convent Inter College 35 (27) 45 (43) 70
Total 175 (153) 225 (204) 357
(Figure in brackets received questionnaires).
Abbreviations: DQ = Distributed Questionnaires; RQ = Received
Questionnaires
Table 2: Mother Tongue
S.N. Mother Tongue No. of students %
1. Hindi 333 93.28
2 English 24 9.72
Total 357 100
Table 3: Motives of Reading
S.N. Access the Information No. of students %
1 To get information 167 46.78
2 To derive pleasure 28 7.84
3 To improve my general knowledge 136 38.09
4 It is my hobby 26 7.28
Total 357 100
Table 4: Time Spent for Daily Reading
S.N. Time spent for reading No. of students %
1. 1 to 2 hours 33 9.24
2 2-3 hours 73 20.45
3. 3-4 hours 187 52.38
4. 5 hours and above 64 17.93
Total 357 100
Table 5: Are you Borrow Reading Materials from Library?
S.N. Books borrow from library No. of students %
1. Yes 327 91.59
2. No 30 8.41
Total 357 100
Table 6: Kinds of Reading Materials Borrow from Library
No. of
S.N. Kinds Books borrow from library students %
1. By subject 285 78.83
2 Recreational (i.e. fiction, poetry, etc.) 72 20.17
Total 357 100
Table 7: Languages of Reading Materials Do You Read
S.N. Languages No. of students %
1. English 230 64.42
2. Hindi 246 68.90
3. Others 19 5.32
Table 8: Uses of Reference Materials
S.N. Reference books No. of students %
1. Encyclopedias 183 51.26
2. Dictionaries 228 63.86
3. Maps, globes 61 17.09
4. Year Books 173 48.46
(Multiple answers allowed)
Table 9: Read Newspaper Daily
S.N. Reference books No. of students %
1 English newspapers 317 88.79
2 Hindi newspapers 192 68.90
(Multiple answers allowed)
Table 10: Which Sections of Newspaper like Most?
S.N. Newspaper Section No. of students %
1. Advertisement 34 9.52
2. Editorial 24 6.72
3. Cinema News 47 13.16
4. Letter to editors 9 2.52
5. Politics 64 17.92
6. Sensational news 63 17.65
7. Sport 116 32.49
Total 357 100
Table 11: Read Magazines
S.N. Magazines No. of students %
1 Reader digest 230 64.42
2 Film magazine 71 19.89
3 India Today 111 31.09
4 Outlook 87 24.37
5 Mathematics Today 95 26.61
6 Competition Success Review 218 61.06
7 Blitz 118 33.05
8 Science Today 89 24.92
9 Science Reporter 98 27.45
10 Chemistry Today 90 25.21
11 Physics Today 110 30.81
12 Biology Today 103 28.85
13 Cricket Today 97 27.17
14 Sports Today 59 16.52
15 PC Quest 51 14.28
(Multiple answers allowed)
Table 12: Place of Reading
S.N. Reading No. of students %
1 Home 174 48.74
2 School Library 135 37.81
3 The Public/Local Library 48 13.44
Total 100 100
Table 13: Sources of Getting Reading Materials
S.N. Sources of getting books No. of students %
1 School Library 214 59.94
2 Friends 48 37.81
3 Home 68 19.05
4 Public/local Library 27 13.44
Total 357 100
Table 14: Sources of Getting Newspapers/Magazines
S.N. Sources No. of students %
1 Individual Subscription 198 55.46
2 Friends 24 6.72
3 School Library 135 37.81
4 Public/Local Library 23 6.44
Total 357 100
