Dominican Culture Minister promotes early reading to boost literacy

Dominican Culture Minister Roberto Ángel Salcedo has emphasized the importance of promoting reading at an early age to improve national literacy levels, following declines noted in PISA test results. To address this, the Ministry of Culture will collaborate with the Ministry of Education to conduct a study on reading levels among youth and students.

Salcedo noted that the International Book Fair serves as a key indicator of reading interest, reporting approximately RD$75 million in book sales last year. The upcoming edition of the fair will prioritize children's and youth literature, expanding its dedicated space. The Minister highlighted the significant impact of specific niches, citing the success of Colombian youth author Eva Muñoz, who achieved high sales volumes during the previous fair.