A Senior Lecturer at the Department of Sociology, University of Ghana, Legon, Dr Obed Sampson Appiah, has attributed the declining interest in reading among children partly to excessive exposure to technology and inadequate parental supervision.

He said the growing use of smartphones, social media, and other digital devices is making it increasingly difficult for some children to concentrate on books and other traditional learning materials.

Speaking to Kwabena Bobie Ansah on the Citizen Show on Accra 100.5FM, Dr Appiah said the situation, coupled with weak parental involvement, was negatively affecting students’ learning outcomes.

He explained that many children now spend considerable amounts of time on digital devices, leaving little room for reading and other academic activities.

Dr Appiah therefore urged parents to take a more active role in supervising their children’s use of technology by setting appropriate limits and encouraging regular reading habits.

His comments come amid concerns over the large number of students who failed the recently conducted Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), raising renewed questions about the state of education in Ghana.

Dr Appiah also criticised what he described as inadequate investment in basic education over the past eight years, arguing that insufficient funding has contributed to challenges within the education sector and poor academic outcomes.

He further expressed concern over the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) by students without adequate guidance.

According to him, excessive reliance on AI tools could undermine students’ ability to think critically, read, and learn independently if they are not properly sensitised on responsible use.

He called for stronger collaboration among parents, teachers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to improve investment in basic education, strengthen parental involvement, and educate students on the responsible use of emerging technologies.

Dr Appiah stressed that while technology has an important role to play in modern education, it should complement rather than replace traditional learning practices such as reading, critical thinking, and independent study.