Headteacher in Kindle row launches new literacy drive

Antony Seldon: 'I don't care so much whether children read on a Kindle or paper'
12 April 2012

A headteacher criticised for planning to replace thousands of books in his school library with Kindles and iPads has now reinforced the importance of literacy by backing compulsory summer holiday reading lists.

The aim is for tutors at £21,000-a-year Wellington College in Crowthorne, Berkshire, to compile individual lists for pupils of a minimum of five titles, all of which must be read by the start of the new term in September.

A £2 million redevelopment of the top
independent school's library includes replacing more than half of the 20,000 books with 30 iPads and 30 Kindles.

However, headteacher Anthony Seldon said today: "I don't care so much whether children read on a Kindle or paper. There was a storm when it was announced my new library would be moving to two thirds of the books being digital. What's really important is that young people read and reflect.

"I think you should make children read. I don't think you should enormously worry what it is they are reading, providing it's not violent and destructive and offensive to people."

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