Exciting Collaboration: Top UAE Schools Partner with Literature Foundation to Showcase the Impact of Reading

In a groundbreaking move to promote a love for reading among students, several leading UAE schools have partnered with the Emirates Literature Foundation for the ‘Reading for Pleasure’ initiative. This initiative aims to encourage students to read purely for the joy of it, free from the constraints and pressures of the classroom.

This region-wide initiative, spanning over five years, will not only provide students with access to books but also serve as the basis for an academic research project conducted by three UAE universities. Researchers will examine the impact of reading for pleasure on students’ well-being and cognitive development.

One of the pioneering schools to participate in this initiative is Dubai Heights Academy, where the benefits have already been felt. Samuel McNally, the Primary English Lead at DHA, expressed his excitement about the positive outcomes for students. He highlighted the transformative power of the initiative, which has enriched classroom libraries, organized competitions, and hosted author visits. As a result, DHA has seen significant improvements in students’ reading progress and attainment, earning them a ‘Very Good’ status with KHDA.

Global trends indicate a decline in reading for pleasure among children, with only 2 in 5 children reporting enjoyment of reading in their free time. In response to this trend, the Emirates Literature Foundation aims to combat it through the ‘Reading for Pleasure’ initiative. The program is structured around three pillars for students, teachers, and parents, offering dedicated time for reading, enhanced library facilities, author visits, and extracurricular activities.

Teachers participating in the initiative will receive professional development and support, while parents will have access to new books to read with their children at home. The initiative also involves academic research by universities on various aspects of child development impacted by reading.

The enthusiasm for this initiative comes at a time when Dubai’s private schools have been recognized globally for their excellence in education. In 2023, Dubai’s private schools were ranked 13th globally by the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA 2022).

To further promote the love for reading, the Emirates Literature Foundation is organizing the very first Reading for Pleasure Conference in Dubai on May 18-19. The conference will bring together experts and advocates from around the world to discuss how best to foster a love for reading in children.

As the ‘Reading for Pleasure’ initiative gains momentum, it is clear that the UAE is taking proactive steps to instill a lifelong love for reading in its students, setting a strong foundation for their future success.