A leading publisher has suggested that the Government make the reading of books in grades four to six compulsory and then test students on them at the end of each grade.

Ian Randle, president of Ian Randle Publishing Limited, said this would improve literacy and encourage reading habits in the society.

"What if we were to introduce a reading/comprehension component into the GSAT (Grade Six Achievement Test) programme that required all children preparing for the GSAT to read and be tested on one book for each of their grade four, five, and six years?" Randle asked recently, while addressing the launch of the novel The Ring and the Roaring Water by Diane Browne.

"And what if by answering a few simple questions at the end of each of those years, to ensure that they had in fact read the book, they were to be guaranteed a small percentage of the total marks towards the final exam, what would be the likely impact on literacy and the reading habit?" Randle continued to ask rhetorically.

A benefit to writers

He noted that this would also benefit writers, who would get a guarantee that 50,000 copies of their books would be sold if they were chosen.

Randle said, while there were logistical challenges, this suggestion would require little or no additional financial outlay on the part of the state, since the acquisition of those books should be entirely borne by parents and students who already happily purchase the "superfluous and often useless practice and test books".

Meanwhile, as a means of encouraging the local writing and production of books and the promotion and preservation of local history and culture, Randle suggested the Government could, on an annual basis, set aside a sum to purchase 2,000 to 3,000 copies of newly, locally published books by authors.

"I put it to you that in money terms, the allotment would actually be quite small but the spin-off benefits are immediately obvious for all to see," he told the gathering.