Hong Kong push to get more adults and children learning together

Many will be surprised to learn that Hong Kong has the world's lowest rate of family literacy - a term used to describe parents (or extended family members and other adults) and children learning together.

Just 12 per cent of children in Hong Kong have that experience compared to an international average of 37 per cent, according to the 2011 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study, a survey that tracks fourth-graders' reading habits at home and at school.

The report also found that although Hong Kong children ranked first in a reading test, they were lowest in interest, confidence and motivation.

To highlight the importance of family literacy, two charities, HandsOn Hong Kong and Bring Me A Book Hong Kong, are rallying schools, clubs and other organisations in the city to take part in an international attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the highest number of children read to by an adult in 24 hours.

The Read Across the Globe initiative is gathering community volunteers to read Farmer Will Allen and the Growing Table, a book by Jacqueline Briggs Martin, to groups of children aged between five and 12.

Five local schools have signed up for the event being held on October 20 in Hong Kong, says Caroline Sprod, executive director of HandsOn Hong Kong.