At BSKL, we continue to emphasise the profound role that reading plays in the intellectual and personal development of our secondary students.
Beyond improving vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking, reading helps young people understand themselves and the world around them in a deeper, more meaningful way.
Regular reading opens doors to new perspectives. Whether students are exploring fiction, historical accounts, or contemporary commentaries, they are invited to step into different lives, cultures, and experiences. This broadens their empathy, challenges assumptions, and encourages reflection. For adolescents - who are forming their identities and navigating increasingly complex social and emotional landscapes - reading becomes an important tool for building self-awareness. Through characters, themes, and ideas, students begin to recognise their own values, aspirations, and responses to the world.
Reading also supports emotional regulation and wellbeing. Books can help students process challenges, normalise struggles, and develop resilience. Research consistently shows that readers develop stronger metacognitive skills, the ability to think about their own thinking, which supports academic success across all subjects. In short, reading equips students not only to achieve but to understand themselves as learners and as individuals.
For parents of reluctant readers, small, consistent steps can make a meaningful difference. Start by helping your child find material that genuinely interests them: this might not always be a traditional novel. Graphic novels, short stories, biographies of athletes or influencers, magazines, or audiobooks can all nurture a positive reading experience.
Encouraging reading in short, manageable bursts (such as 10–15 minutes before bed) helps build routine without pressure. You can also model reading at home, discuss interesting articles together, or visit bookshops and libraries to explore new options. The goal is to create a sense of choice, curiosity, and enjoyment rather than obligation.
When reading feels accessible and personalised, reluctant readers are far more likely to engage and develop confidence over time.
As always, our Secondary Library remains a welcoming, well-resourced space where students can explore a diverse range of texts. Our librarian, Mr Syamsul Azrin bin Badul Zaman, is on hand to guide students towards books that match their interests, challenge their thinking, and inspire a lifelong love of reading.
Thank you for your ongoing support in helping our students grow as thoughtful, informed, and self-aware young people. Reading is one of the most powerful tools we can give them, and together, we can nurture this essential habit.
DR NICOLA BROWN
HEAD OF SECONDARY
