Irish pupils among the world’s top readers

High levels of home access to books as well as the internet have helped Ireland’s 10-year-olds to become close to the world’s best readers.

In a worldwide research study published this month, Irish fourth-class pupils were ranked 10th out of 45 countries at reading — well above average but also short of the top performing countries.

Further details now show a direct link between resources at home and reading scores. Children with higher achievement in the tests, taken by 4,500 pupils here last year, generally had parents who liked reading and engaged in literacy activities with their sons and daughters.