- Government-sponsored resource platform Hong Kong Education City (EdCity) received responses from 20,051 students across 274 schools
- Inaugural study also reveals 32 per cent of secondary pupils often read during recess at school, suggesting their schedules may be too packed to read at other times
In the survey, Hong Kong students have expressed a desire for a wider variety of books in their schools. Photo: Elson LiA recent survey has revealed Hong Kong secondary school students’ diverse taste in books, while suggesting educators can do more to create a positive reading environment.
In the poll organised by government-sponsored resource platform Hong Kong Education City (EdCity), pupils also expressed their hopes that schools would offer a wider variety of interesting books and arrange more time for reading.
The results of this inaugural survey on Hong Kong students’ reading habits were announced at the 20th annual Top Ten Book Picks award ceremony last month.
How removal of sensitive books from Hong Kong public libraries affects students
From April 3 to May 31, EdCity asked 20,051 students from 274 schools about their reading habits and motivations for reading.
The most popular genre among secondary school students was science fiction with 26 per cent of respondents choosing it as their favourite style of books, followed closely by comics which received 23 per cent of votes.
Compared to participants in primary school, the older pupils were more appreciative of literature and had more diverse reading preferences.
Valerie Chiu, a 13-year-old from St Mary’s Canossian College, said she enjoyed reading a variety of genres.
“I especially like dystopian fiction or science fiction such as The Hunger Games and Shadow Children,” she said, explaining that these series were page-turners. “I can feel the suffering of the characters and ... see how they grow to be courageous and persistent people.”
Another teen, Yoyo Ngai, said she preferred young-adult fiction and biographical non-fiction.
“Fiction always unwinds me and lets me immerse in a fantasy, away from hectic reality, while biographies give me a better understanding of other people’s lives and their sufferings and joys,” said the 16-year-old from St Paul’s Convent School, adding that she loved the sensory satisfaction of flipping through paper books, but preferred electronic books when travelling or commuting.
While paper books remained students’ primary reading medium, EdCity’s survey found that e-books had a strong hold on older pupils. Almost half of the respondents from secondary schools said they often read using electronic books.
Valerie said she preferred e-books because they would produce less waste.
“They allow me to reduce paper [waste] by purchasing fewer paperback books, and save the environment,” she explained, adding that reading on electronic devices was also more comfortable since she could easily enlarge the text.
Face Off: Are textbooks outdated in Hong Kong?
The survey also revealed that 32 per cent of secondary school students tended to read during breaks at school. According to EdCity, pupils are making the most of their “fragmented time, leading to shorter reading time”.
In the questionnaire, students said they hoped schools could reduce their workload and spare more time for reading.
Ken Ngai Yuen-keung, EdCity’s executive director, said secondary students’ hectic schedules could be the reason behind their fragmented reading habits. He stressed the importance of establishing a good reading atmosphere in schools.
“Secondary schools can create [an] environment for students to enjoy free reading, including a dedicated time slot with no lesson and a quiet space for reading ... [or] setting a Reading Week in a term,” Ngai suggested, adding that schools could also set up programmes to reward pupils’ reading progress.
Kylie Cheung, a Year 12 student from Sha Tin College, agreed that schools needed to cultivate positive reading habits.
“We do not really have the time to read since we are busy with other assignments,” she pointed out.
The 17-year-old added that teachers should give students more opportunities to choose what to read and explore their own interests.
“Since schools force us to read ‘classic novels’, it can sometimes feel like a chore … My image of reading is rather dull. If I could choose books that align with my interest, I would find it a somewhat pleasurable experience,” she said.