A number of international schools in Dubai are exploring and rolling out incentive programmes to encourage students to read more books, an approach inspired by similar initiatives abroad, including one recently launched in Singapore.
Nord Anglia International School Dubai uses reading challenges and in-class recognition to motivate students. Amel Dali-Bey, who oversees the programme at the school, said rewards can be "a useful starting point, particularly for reluctant readers," while stressing that the ultimate goal is developing "genuine enjoyment and a regular reading habit."
Woodlem Education has introduced a points-based system called Dojo, which includes monthly Best Reader Awards. The school has also proposed a "Woodlem Reading Passport" programme featuring badges, certificates and Book Talk sessions to further engage students with literature.
Not everyone is convinced that rewards alone are the answer. Girish Hemnani, a Dubai-based life coach, cautions that "rewards are useful for building the system, not the identity," adding that "you cannot bribe someone into becoming a reader." He argues that lasting reading habits depend on children finding books that genuinely connect with their own interests, rather than external incentives alone.
The push comes as educators worldwide, including in the UAE, look for ways to counter declining reading habits among children and teenagers in an age dominated by smartphones and social media. Dubai schools are continuing to experiment with a mix of short-term rewards and longer-term programmes aimed at embedding a lasting reading culture among students.