Germany's National Reading Day Highlights Educational Inequities

The annual event emphasizes the importance of reading to children's development and the disparities in literacy rates linked to socioeconomic backgrounds.

More than a million participants, including politicians and celebrities, engaged in the 21st National Reading Day across Germany.
Studies show that children who are read to regularly develop better literacy skills, yet one-third of German children miss out on this crucial activity.
Education Minister Cem Özdemir stresses the need for early reading to bridge competency gaps that emerge before school age.
Research indicates a strong correlation between a child's home environment and their reading proficiency, with children from disadvantaged backgrounds often lagging behind.
The event aims to inspire voluntary engagement in reading initiatives and highlights the role of reading in fostering empathy and societal cohesion.