Comparison of Reading Habits of Secondary School Students: A Gender Based Analysis

Abstract

The purpose of this  study was to investigate the book reading habits of science students at secondary level in Islamabad. The objectives of the study were to compare book reading habits of boys and girls. It is common observation of researcher and reported by teachers and parents that with the passage of time, number of students who read books properly are becoming very less. The study is helpful for the secondary school science students. This study will also be helpful for teachers and for policy makers and educational planners. All the students of SSC level studying boys and girls schools and colleges located in sector urban II of Islamabad constituted the population of the study. Two boys and two girls’ schools were selected as random sampling technique. Out of these school’s all students were chosen from each school. So sample of the study comprised of 122 students of 4 government and model secondary schools in Islamabad. A questionnaire on book reading habits was developed by the researcher. This tool consists of 37 statements on five point Likert scale. Statements were improved in the light of suggestions given by experts. The questionnaire was administered to the 122 respondents personally and they were asked to fill in the questionnaire accordingly. 122 questionnaires were filled from the respondents. Findings reveled that many boys use strategies for reading but most girls avoid skimming and chunking. Boys and girls of government schools limit disturbances while reading, both boys and girls read for writing further and critical thinking. Reading improves boys’ and girls’ focus and concentration. Mostly boys and girls don’t read for fun, also they don’t read to simply pass the time. Many student girls and boys read books before going to bed and they don’t prefer online material.