Reading outcomes among 10-year-olds are weaker in almost all countries since 2016, and enjoyment of reading is lowest among 10-year-olds in Norway, a new survey has shown.

– It’s not good that children’s reading skills are declining, and that worries me. Good reading comprehension is important for a student’s school and further development. We have to reverse this negative development, said Education Minister Tonje Brenna (Ap).

The international PIRLS survey has mapped the reading ability of 10-year-olds in 65 countries. In Norway, the survey will be conducted in the spring of 2021.

The survey readings show that Norwegian 10-year-olds are well above the international average. Norwegian students read at the same level as Danish students, but somewhat weaker than students in Finland and Sweden.

Weaker results in almost all countries

Despite the fact that Norway’s 10-year-olds are above the international average, results are weaker in almost all countries since the previous survey in 2016. In addition, Norway experienced the largest decline of the Nordic countries.

– This is serious. Reading is the most important building block in education, and if you don’t have basic reading skills, it can be difficult to cover all subjects, says Director Morten Rosenkvist at the Directorate of Education.

10-year-olds in Norway also reported the lowest levels of enjoyment of reading of all the countries surveyed. Only 13 percent say they like to read well, while the international average is 42 percent. The survey also showed that fewer students read in their free time in 2021 than in 2016.

Maybe related to the pandemic

The researchers behind the survey assumed that the decline in reading results in almost all countries might be related to surveys conducted during the pandemic.

– Children spend more time on screens both at school and at home, and less time on paper books. If we want to strengthen reading, we have to think more holistically. The government has already taken several steps. Among other things, we have given more money to school libraries, and we will give more money to school books, said the Minister of Knowledge.

It was the 10-year-olds in Singapore who had the highest average scores. Close behind follow Ireland and Hong Kong.

(© NTB)