Sir, – I am a children’s writer and until March 2020 I used to visit primary schools all over Ireland every week to talk about books, reading and writing. (I hope to do so again soon) I was often shocked by the lack of books in the classrooms and in the school library, if indeed they had a library at all.
Books play a vital role in children’s lives and all children deserve to get the chance to become readers, no matter what their background.
Imagine a childhood without books; without the charm of Paddington, the wisdom of Winnie the Pooh, the bravery of Harry Potter, the cunning of Artemis Fowl, the quirkiness of Pippi Longstocking, the heart of Matilda?
Not all children have books at home, not all children get the chance to visit their local library, but all children go to school. Teachers all over Ireland share stories and poems with children every day, many of them say it’s their favourite “job” as a teacher. It’s often a child’s favourite time of the school day too!
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In 2008 the school library fund was completely cut and has never been reinstated. As a result, many schools struggle to purchase new books, relying on fundraising by parents, or the goodness and generosity of teachers who often buy new books out of their own money.
The research shows that reading has positive impacts on so many areas of a child’s life – literacy, numeracy, academic self-confidence and mental wellbeing. Over the last 18 months many children (and adults) have turned to books for comfort and escapism – I know I have!
The national organisation for children’s books, Children’s Books Ireland is running a Right to be a Reader campaign, calling on the Government to restore the school library fund in the 2022 Budget. They explain that by allocating just €10 for every primary school child in the country to help schools buy books for their libraries means a Budget 2022 allocation of only €5.68 million. This modest investment can open up a lifetime of possibility and excitement for children.
We pride ourselves on being a nation of storytellers, writers and readers. How can children become these things without access to books?
– Yours, etc,
SARAH WEBB
Dún Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.