An ITV News investigation reveals that many children in Wales are struggling with reading due to outdated teaching methods still endorsed by the Welsh government. Parents, like Lisa, have seen their children, such as her daughter Poppy, who now has a reading age of four despite being 11, struggle because teachers often advise them to rely on pictures or context instead of decoding words. The investigation found that these ineffective methods are prevalent in Welsh primary schools and even praised by school inspectors, leaving tens of thousands of pupils functionally illiterate as they transition to secondary school. This issue is compounded by a lack of national reading assessments in Wales, making it difficult to gauge the full extent of the problem. The consequences of illiteracy are severe, potentially leading to mental health issues and increased likelihood of incarceration.
Inside the Reading Crisis Leaving Thousands of Children in Wales Unable to Read
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