Analysis of Reading Habits of Pupils in Public and Private Primary Schools in Owerri, Nigeria.

Abstract

Reading skills are among the competencies that promote gainful use of time, facilitate knowledge acquisition and buttress information dissemination. The importance attached to early development of reading habits necessitated this investigation while identification as exhibited by pupils in their reading exercises provided the major thrusts. The subjects were made up of 400 pupils drawn from selected public and private primary schools in Owem, Nigeria. Relevant data were obtained through a customized "Quesitonnire for Reading Habits in Primary School Pupils" (QRHPSP). Findings showed that whereas respondents read for diffemt reasons, there was a marked difference in the reading habits of children in public and private schools. Private School pupils had more access to reading materials, and thus, exhibited a better attitude to reading. Furher results showed that the subjects of this study paid scant attention to Igho La nguage Gild Mathematics, which is not a healthy development.  Scarcity of reading materials and retrieval difficulties in libraries were among the. facto rs that affect reading by many respondents. Recommendations were made to assist children imbibe good reading habits, and ultimately, remedy lapses which this study has brought to the fore.