Recreational book reading among secondary school students in Bangladesh: Access, trends, and issues

Abstract

Recreational reading has been linked to significant benefits for adolescents’ cognitive, emotional, and academic development. However, very little is known from the existing research literature on how Bangladeshi adolescents perceive and experience their reading of recreational books. This study explored the access to and trends of recreational book reading among the secondary school students of Bangladesh. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected through a survey questionnaire from 691 students (56% female) across three secondary schools and two Dakhil Madrasahs (Islamic secondary schools). Findings revealed that adolescents have a generally positive perception of recreational reading, with 87% valuing it, but only 38% actively engaging in it. The fiction genre remains a strong trend in pleasure reading. Similar results were found in the quantitative analysis, with top preferences including comics and jokes (56.2%), sci-fi (33.7%), horror (41.7%), and short stories (54.8%). The recommendations include expanding infrastructural and service facilities in libraries, both at schools and other social institutions; integrating recreational reading of books into the education system; and launching a national campaign of reading and reading programs in urban and rural areas. The study further suggests governments intervene in policy, funding, and implementation of the library movement.