UAE schools are examining whether rewards can help children read more often, after Singapore launched a national programme that links reading with virtual incentives. The aim is not only to get reluctant readers to open a book, but to help reading become a lasting habit as screens compete for attention.
Singapore's ReadSG incentive
Singapore's National Library Board launched ReadSG on 6 September 2026 as part of a five-year national movement to make reading a regular activity. Participants are encouraged to read for at least 15 minutes each day and record their sessions on the government's CrowdTaskSG platform.
The programme gives participants virtual rewards for their reading. Those rewards can eventually be converted into money. It was introduced amid concerns about digital distraction and the time people spend with short-form content.
The model has prompted questions about whether similar incentives could work in UAE schools. Local educators already use recognition and reward systems, although they say these should support reading rather than become the main reason children do it.
What UAE schools are trying
Amel Dali-Bey, Deputy Head of Primary at Nord Anglia International School Dubai, said rewards can provide an initial push for reluctant readers. Reading challenges, class recognition and milestone celebrations can make the activity feel more exciting, especially in primary school.
She said the longer-term objective is for external motivation to develop into genuine enjoyment and a regular routine. Reading also gives children a chance to slow down, concentrate deeply and become absorbed in an activity without expecting an immediate reward.
Noufal Ahmed, founder and managing director of Woodlem Education, said reading should be nurtured as a culture rather than treated only as another school task. Woodlem uses Dojo points, with parents aware of the school's reading expectations. Its monthly Best Reader Award recognises classes that show strong reading habits. The group also combines rewards with access to libraries and reading apps.
A proposed Woodlem Reading Passport would ask students to record books, share reflections and recommend titles to classmates. Reading miles, badges, certificates and Book Talks would mark their progress and make reading more visible and social.
When rewards stop working
Girish Hemnani, a Dubai-based life coach, said rewards are useful for building the system, not the child's identity as a reader. A small incentive can help a child open a book for two minutes today and five minutes tomorrow, but it cannot create a lasting habit on its own.
He said children need books that connect with their interests and curiosity. A comic, mystery or compelling idea may do more to sustain reading than points or gift cards once the initial motivation fades.
For parents in the UAE, the practical takeaway is modest. Short challenges and class recognition can help a reluctant reader start. Choosing books that match a child's interests matters more once that first week is over. Schools that pair rewards with library access, reading apps and shared book talk give children more reasons to keep going after the points stop feeling new.