KABUL (SW) – A number of young people in conversation with Salam Watandar say their interest in reading has declined drastically in the recent past years.
The results of Salam Watandar’s conversations with 68 young students show that reading trend has decreased by more than half among these young people. Of these youths, 66 are university students and two are school students. In this survey, 41 are female students who have dropped out of school and 27 of whom are male students.
These young people have said that they were much more interested in studying and reading during the previous years, but after the recent upheavals in the country, their interest in reading has faded.
Hasib, a student from Takhar province, says that his interest and motivation for reading has decreased compared to the past, adding: “I see young people in Taluqan city of Takhar that their interest in studying and reading books and going to courses has decreased because everyone is doing something in the hope for a future ahead of it, but now the future seems bleak.”
Samiullah Barez, a resident of Ghazni province, also states that he has no more motivation to read. “My study and reading process has changed and is less than in the past,” he said. “I used to spend most of my time reading, but unfortunately, I can’t do more because of the increased work and responsibilities.”
According to Salam Watandar’s findings, the rate of reading among girls has decreased further compared to boys, with 23 of the girls interviewed saying that they have stopped reading due to restrictions on girls’ education.
Morsal, a resident of Sar-e Pol province, said, “In the past, I used to study and read more because I was busy going to university, but unfortunately now my interest has decreased. I used to consider reading books as a responsibility, but not anymore”.
Tamana, a resident of Kabul, who have been denied education after restrictions were imposed on women agreed, also says, “I am interested in reading but I don’t read much. I used to read more when I went to university, but after the changes, my motivation has decreased. I read less books because I don’t know what will happen to us (women).”
In addition, out of a total of 27 boys interviewed, 12 said that their interest in studying had decreased due to changes in the country’s situation, working, educational conditions and mental problems and they cannot meet their families’ needs.
Haroon, a resident of Sar-e Pol who is a also a university student, said: “I don’t read books because I am more busy than in the past. I used to read a little bit before. I can’t handle it now because I am busy working. I am interested in reading books but I don’t have time and I can’t have the opportunity for it.”
Among the youths interviewed for this report, 16 girls and 13 boys said that the amount of reading among them has increased compared to previous years. Despite the challenges in their lives and the restrictions imposed on girls’ education, they have tried not to distance themselves from reading books and studying, as well as, provide the basis for their personal growth by reading various books.
Girls whose reading trend has increased say that imposing restrictions on women’s work and education have caused unemployment and increased free time among women and girls, so they fill most of their free time with reading.
Sonia from Sar-e Pol province, said, “After the closure of schools and universities, I had lost all my hopes and was facing depression; it really affected my soul. In the beginning I started to read a book in a week as a hobby, but later on, I started to read a book in a day which made me feel more strong and great.”
“Most of the books I read, are in the social and literary fields, and my reading process has changed a lot compared to the past. My interest in reading has increased a lot,” expressed Zahra, a resident Badghis province.
Out of the boys interviewed, 13 said their interest in reading had improved because of the creation of more opportunities for them.
Bilal Omari, a resident of Kapisa province, excitedly said, “Most of my studies are related to international relations field. My reading process has improved compared to the past. I can read books on a larger scale and I found better options on how to get a positive result from reading and studying. I have become interested in reading books more and more day by day.”
Additionally, Hussain Al-Mubarak, a resident of Badakhshan province, says that reading has created an opportunity for personal growth and increasing of his skills. “Since I understood the importance of reading the books, I more know how much it is really valuable and can bring positive changes.”
Besides that more than half of the young people interviewed, reported a decline in reading, meanwhile, booksellers also complained about the lack of a market for books compared to the previous years.
Hamid Hussaini, a bookseller in Balkh province, says that the number of buyers has significantly declined in past three years. “Young people are generally interested in reading, but due to the fact that the doors of universities and schools are closed to girls, it has had a negative impact on the sells of textbooks, and economic problems have also caused that young people lose their interest in receiving and reading their favorite books.”
At the same time, a professor at a private university confirmed the decrease in students’ interest in reading books, saying that the change in lifestyle and the decrease in motivation have led to a decrease in the reading process among young people. Khawani Hemat said: The reason that reading among young people has become less, is the excessive use of internet and social media networks, which has caused people in our society and our youths to find little time to read and study.”
However, sociologists consider that only by reading books and increasing awareness among the youths, the society will be alive and stable.
Rashed Sediqi, one of the sociologists, says that lack of the culture of reading and decline in motivation and interest for it among citizens, especially youths, have dangerous social consequences. “When there is no motivation, the reading does not take place. Instead of communication with books and science, today we become more dependent on technology and virtual world issues, and this becomes a big and irreparable disaster for the society.”
Khobaib Ghofran, the spokesman of the Ministry of Information and Culture of the de-facto government, says that after the re-establishment of the Islamic Emirate in Afghanistan, to promote reading among young people, they distributed books for free through competitive programs and exhibitions across different provinces. He asserts that currently, the reading culture among young people has increased compared to the past.
“Programs have been taken to promote reading among young people and these programs have caused the culture of reading among youths to grow unprecedentedly; Today, young people study using technology, and lately, young people have turned to books more and more,” Ghofran said.
In the past three years, several street book fairs have been held in Kabul and a number of provinces to promote the culture of reading among citizens.
