Literacy levels are declining. Students are no longer trying. Do we care?

Literacy. It’s a loaded word these days. Once upon a time the idea of literacy was solely concerned with the ability to read and write proficiently and in earlier years, we’ve largely associated literacy with being able to identify, comprehend, communicate and interpret written materials within different contexts.
But this idea of literacy is rapidly changing as we transcend through a new tech-centered era, with the likes of AI being a part of everyday life. And while the concept of reading, writing and speaking was once deemed of high importance in education, in 2024, we’ve found that the perceived value of traditional literacy skills is somewhat dwindling, in many cases.
The stats don’t lie – take a look at recent PISA (2022) results worldwide. Not only have reading test scores significantly declined between 2012 and 2022, but we’re also looking at an alarming low levels of literacy and a lower occurring frequency of reading taking place in the home. Now, while we know that high stakes exams and standardized tests aren’t the way forward, we must admit that if even Singapore (famously known for being the frontline winner in academic testing) shows a significant decrease in literacy levels, one has to question the reason. What’s missing?

Perhaps the reason for this decline is the sheer fact that standardized tests are no longer taken seriously by our students. Recent data from the OECD revealed that in Australia, nearly 80% of students say they ‘didn’t fully try’ in their recent PISA testing. And while many may ask the question “why?’, as educators, deep down, perhaps we already know the answer.
Are students viewing literacy, and the standardized tests that assess literacy levels, as outdated? For the average 15 year old whose daily life is likely saturated with five second video clips, trending music, swiping, liking, sharing and forever clicking, the mere thought of sitting glued to a desk and writing for
3 hours would hardly seem enthralling.

Honestly? We don’t blame them.
We get it – in the time-poor state of our current society, why not do it quicker? Why not have a program think for you? Why not spend more time on important tasks that make a difference and less on the menial duties of one’s day? The way that we teach and in turn the way that students learn has been rapidly altered by technology and such changes have also influenced our understanding of what it means to be deemed literate.
So in the era of smartphones, tablets, TikTok, NLPs (that’s Natural Language Processing for those of us who haven’t cracked the code yet), and soon-to-be released forms of advanced robotics – where does that leave our students’ traditional literacy skills? And what can Nigeria – whose World Culture Score Index was significantly low in reading culture – learn from this?

Here’s the thing. One of the key catalysts in students’ poor interaction with reading and literacy comes down to the connection and relatedness they feel towards what they are learning. Their sense of belonging. Their culture. Once again, we are reminded of the ever important concept: cultural literacy.

Parents and educators, this one’s for you. Check the bookshelves in your home, or perhaps the nearest classroom. Even take a look at your Kindle. What do you see? How has the literature been selected, and by whom? Have you considered the connections between the literature offered to your child or students, or is the selection of literature in itself, standardised and uniformed, much like our testing?

Literacy skills are timeless. For as long as the human race needs to communicate through speech or written word, they are vital. And they are also vital in order for us to make sense of the world. To lose this is to lose a sense of our connection to being human – there is a symbiotic relationship between reading and intelligence. And with the positive evolution of AI, lest we forget that accessibility is key. If Large Language Models and Generative AI are designed to interpret natural language, then competency in literacy and critical thinking skills is the key.

In the absence of reading, a critical mode of thinking and human development becomes lost.
So instilling literacy starts in the early years but can’t be limited to early years only. Here’s our top recommendations for parents and educators to revive literacy engagement in schools and the home:

Recommendations for Parents:

Establish a Daily Reading Routine: Make it a habit to read to your children every day – it starts with just 20 minutes. Consistency is key, so schedule a specific time each day for reading to ensure it becomes an embedded part of your routine. This practice not only enhances literacy skills but also provides a wonderful opportunity for parents to foster strong relationships with their children. Encourage active engagement by prompting questions and sparking imaginative thinking about different story possibilities.

Don’t neglect the Mother Tongue! Read in Home Language(s) and English: This will encourage children to continue developing their home language(s). Children should be exposed to books that include home language(s) this will ensure that they develop strong vocabulary and are aware of jargon and cultural idioms and proverbs. It also signals to your children that home language(s) are just as important as the English language.
Recommendations for Educators (Early Years and Secondary School):

Decolonize Your Reading List: Challenge the Eurocentric-only perspective so often offered in curriculum programs and prescribed reading lists. Diversify the books available in your learning spaces. In the words of bestselling author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, “The centre of the literary world has always been Eurocentric, and that is a problem. It’s a problem because it perpetuates the idea that only European experiences are universal, that only European stories are worth telling”.

So, avoid perpetuating this view by consciously selecting books that represent a variety of cultures, languages, and ways of life. Incorporate both “windows” and “mirrors” in your book selection—mirrors reflecting the children’s own cultural practices and languages, and windows providing insights into different cultures and worldviews.

Promote Cultural Responsiveness in Literacy: Actively incorporate diverse cultural content into literacy lessons. Select texts that reflect the cultural richness of your students, embracing a curriculum that is culturally responsive and sustaining. Create an inclusive learning environment by showcasing the diversity of languages, traditions, and perspectives. By doing so, you not only enrich literacy education but also foster an atmosphere of respect and appreciation for the varied backgrounds represented in your classroom.