Many of us take an ability to read or write for granted, treating these skills as something everyone can do. The reality is far from that, with many struggling with literacy. But why is that? Kieran has written a powerful thought-provoking article that investigates.
Most people assume that learning to read is something every child just picks up. But what if you didn’t? What if every lesson, every worksheet, every exam depended on a skill you never fully understood?
Literacy might sound like a simple concept, the ability to read and write, but it’s much more than that. It’s how people understand the world, express their ideas, and keep up with everything around them. Without it, school becomes confusing, frustrating, and, for some, completely isolating.
And this isn’t a rare issue. Globally, around 70% of 10-year-olds in lower-income countries can’t read and understand a simple text. Even in the UK, it’s estimated that about 1-in-5 children leave primary school without reaching the expected reading level. That’s not just a number, that’s real students sitting in real classrooms, trying to keep up and quietly struggling.
So why is this still happening? A lot of it comes down to inequality. Some children grow up surrounded by books and support, while others don’t. Some schools have the resources to help struggling readers, while others are overstretched and underfunded. It’s not just about effort, it’s about opportunity. And not everyone gets the same start.
The effects don’t just stay in the classroom either. Struggling to read can knock confidence, affect other subjects, and make school feel like something to get through rather than enjoy. Over time, it can limit future options too. When something as basic as reading becomes difficult, everything else becomes harder.
But the situation isn’t hopeless. Early support, better funding, and simply making books more accessible can make a huge difference. When children are given the chance to improve, many of them do. The problem isn’t ability, it’s access.
At the end of the day, literacy shouldn’t depend on where you’re from or what school you go to. If we expect every child to succeed, then making sure they can read isn’t optional, it’s essential.
Kieran
Not just elected members
Did you know that Somerset Youth Parliament isn’t just it’s elected members? Any young person in Somerset aged 10-25 years can become a member of the Somerset Youth Parliament Advisory Group.
For more information about becoming a member of the Somerset Youth Parliament Advisory Group and to join, visit our Join Us page.
