Thousands of ninth graders fail the reading comprehension part of the national test every year. Researchers, teachers and students interviewed by SVT testify that reading has largely been phased out of school. Students are offered other options such as watching video clips, reading summaries or “listening”.
– That students are allowed to “read aloud” is a big problem and a huge betrayal. It is also a danger to society and a direct crisis of democracy, says Agneta Gulz.
Section 22
The method is already used in middle school, and the teachers and researchers interviewed by SVT describe it as a Catch 22. The students find it hard and boring to read. In order for the teachers not to fall behind in the teaching, they let the students listen instead of reading. In this way, the deficiencies in reading comprehension are further reinforced.
Agneta Gulz believes that listening can be a good supplement to reading, for example in cases of diagnosed dyslexia. But when listening replaces reading, she believes that it is very problematic.
– It is extremely serious. The vast majority of children can learn to read with the right support and training, but we deprive them of that right.
“Uncool to read”
Students interviewed by SVT believe that it is unusual today to read voluntarily and do not believe that reading will be important in the future.
– It’s a bit uncool. It is more normal to check a phone than to read a book, says 15-year-old Samuel Engström.
– It will be much more digital in the future. I think there will be a lot more robots and other things that take over, says peer Anna Forsell.
Threats to democracy
Monika Vinterek, senior professor in pedagogical work, has mapped how little text students read during class time:
– It is worrying to say the least. Students I’ve spoken to have difficulty with books and instead want bullet point summaries or listen. The result is people who cannot get into or understand something complex.
“Scamming young people”
Agneta Gulz is critical of the widespread use of tools developed for students with disabilities.
– I would like to silence future visionaries who say that reading will not be important in the future. They deceive young people.