What is the Right To Read Campaign About?
The Right to Read Campaign is a response to unacceptable levels of educational disadvantage in Irish society.
The Right to Read Campaign wants to see major improvements in three key areas to improve the conditions in which children learn to read.
These areas include:
HOMEWORK CLUBS, HOUSING, LIBRARY SERVICES.
1. HOMEWORK CLUBS
The Right to Read Campaign wants homework clubs, using Community Development Workers, to become a
priority for local authorities. Along with providing practical, skilled tuition, these Development Workers would
assist and give guidance on the setting-up and management of homework clubs.
Right to Read Achievement:
Nine ‘Learning Zones’ for children have been opened across the Library service in Dublin City.
2. HOUSING
There is a strong link between literacy levels and the home environment. Housing policy
must facilitate homework clubs by making community rooms available.
The Right to Read Campaign wants these principles introduced into
local authority development plans so that education facilities are
included our housing policy.
Right to Read Achievement:
Dublin City Council has agreed to increase all apartment sizes by 25% to facilitate family learning
3. LIBRARIES
Children who use our public libraries have better reading skills than
children who don’t. Libraries have undertaken a number of
initiatives to promote reading that are welcome. However, many of
these initiatives lack the funding or co-ordination to make a lasting
impact.
Right to Read Achievement:
All libraries in Dublin City now open six days a week for the first
time.
WHAT ELSE ARE WE CAMPAIGNING FOR?
- Increase library opening hours, especially in the evenings after school.
- Ensure that all libraries publish community outreach plans and work with schools and community groups to maximise participation in library activities amongst all age groups.
- Increase the number of activities in libraries to promote reading.
- Expand the mobile library service.
- Encourage literacy amongst young parents with the promotion of ‘Baby Books Bundle’ by the library service.
- Encourage all Local Authorities to establish Right to Read Committees involving elected members and appropriate officers from council management.
- ‘Family Learning through Football’ courses (Sunderland F.C. model) encouraging positive parenting and family literacy through sport in association with sporting organisations run in council community centres.
- A greater volume of multi-lingual textbooks in our library service.
- A greater roll out of schemes like the ‘Beano Comic Initiative’ as sponsored by Dublin City Council across the country.