An evaluative study on reading for pleasure in secondary schools in Trinidad and Tobago.
Creators: name: Francis, Shade
Publisher: name: unknown
Year: 2020
Subjects: subject: Reading
subject: Information science
subject: Library science

description: In Trinidad and Tobago, there is a paucity of research on reading for pleasure in secondary 
schools. This is a cause for concern as there has been an observed decline. This study seeks to 
highlight strategies which can be used to reinvigorate pleasure reading in secondary schools.

Aim: To evaluate the perceptions, inhibitors, promoters and strategies fostering pleasure 
reading in secondary schools.

Methods: This study was based on a literature review. Mixed methodology using quantitative 
and qualitative approaches employing an online questionnaire and two online focus groups 
were utilized. Thematic analysis and descriptive statistics were applied where necessary. The 
study was exempt from ethics approval.

Findings: Ninety one participants: 29 teachers, 23 librarians and 39 students participated in 
the study. There were 71 females and 19 males. Questionnaire revealed both reading and 
pleasure reading was enjoyed by about 60% of students. About half actually pleasure read in 
the last six months. Students love for pleasure reading were less than that of librarians and 
teachers. Most students found pleasure reading beneficial even if disliked. Teachers and 
librarians observed a decline over time and students reported a transitional decline from 
primary to secondary school. On average participants spent 3 ± 3.18 hours (median 2, range 0-
18 hours) on daily pleasure reading. Students in particular pleasure read using a range of 
differing mediums, giving preference to digital formats. 
Five major themes inhibiting or promoting pleasure reading were people, environment, 
activities, materials and the curriculum. Most cited inhibitors by students were social media 
followed closely by school based assignments (SBAs). Others included resource availability, 
dissatisfaction with resources, cell phones, homework and television.
description: In Trinidad and Tobago, there is a paucity of research on reading for pleasure in secondary schools. This is a cause for concern as there has been an observed decline. This study seeks to highlight strategies which can be used to reinvigorate pleasure reading in secondary schools. Aim: To evaluate the perceptions, inhibitors, promoters and strategies fostering pleasure reading in secondary schools. Methods: This study was based on a literature review. Mixed methodology using quantitative and qualitative approaches employing an online questionnaire and two online focus groups were utilized. Thematic analysis and descriptive statistics were applied where necessary. The study was exempt from ethics approval. Findings: Ninety one participants: 29 teachers, 23 librarians and 39 students participated in the study. There were 71 females and 19 males. Questionnaire revealed both reading and pleasure reading was enjoyed by about 60% of students. About half actually pleasure read in the last six months. Students love for pleasure reading were less than that of librarians and teachers. Most students found pleasure reading beneficial even if disliked. Teachers and librarians observed a decline over time and students reported a transitional decline from primary to secondary school. On average participants spent 3 ± 3.18 hours (median 2, range 0- 18 hours) on daily pleasure reading. Students in particular pleasure read using a range of differing mediums, giving preference to digital formats. Five major themes inhibiting or promoting pleasure reading were people, environment, activities, materials and the curriculum. Most cited inhibitors by students were social media followed closely by school based assignments (SBAs). Others included resource availability, dissatisfaction with resources, cell phones, homework and television.