WHEN film star and director Jackie Chan received an honorary doctorate from the Baptist University last year he admitted he wasn't much of a reader, and used the occasion to urge children not to follow his example and to read.
But for many children, the novel has little place in their lives beyond formal education. There is much concern about poor standards of English and written Chinese in schools, and the fact many children enjoy reading only comics and cartoons for pleasure may be a cause.
Local children's author Huang Qing-yun said: 'Children are eager to read cartoons but don't have time for books because they have so much homework to do and want to watch television and play computer games.' Children's reading abilities and knowledge of Chinese culture were worryingly low, she added.
'If they read more, their writing - and thinking - would be better. If they only watch television rather than read they do not use their imagination,' she said.
The Education Department has acknowledged that Hong Kong children are less well-read than well-educated children in the West. To promote wider reading, it is launching a scheme in primary schools that will allow older children to spend two periods a week reading a book of their choice.
'Children are not reading enough, especially young children. This is not because teachers don't promote books but because some pupils are not interested, and because the community does not regard reading as practical,' said Sin Chow Dick-yee, the Education Department's principal inspector, Chinese and Chinese History Section.
