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politics16h ago
Schools in England sidelining dressing-up for World Book Day, MPs hear
- MPs heard that schools are moving away from dressing up for World Book Day due to cost and family strain.
- Jonathan Douglas of the National Literacy Trust linked costumes to potential harm to reading for pleasure and social mobility goals.
- BookTrust suggested costume swaps or art-based dress-up as inclusive workarounds to cost concerns.
- The World Book Day charity emphasized inclusive, no-cost ways to participate for all children.
- The session followed findings that youth enjoyment of reading has fallen to its lowest point in 20 years.
- An educator and author said many students struggle to read for pleasure in early secondary school amid TikTok and streaming competition.
- The hearing featured calls to keep World Book Day as a national, celebratory moment for reading.
- The committee heard from teachers and authors about practical alternatives to maintain reading engagement.
- Officials argue that World Book Day should not come at the expense of reading for pleasure.
- The Guardian features discussions on broader reading trends and technology's role in reducing reading time.
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