Abstract

The release of the 2021 Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) report has garnered significant attention to the reading habits of primary school learners. However, there is a regrettable lack of emphasis on the reading habits of secondary school learners, which is also a critical gap in current research. A preliminary reading of the literature has generated two research questions. Firstly, what are the key components and defining characteristics of an effective reading culture? Secondly, what factors influence the development and sustainability of a reading culture among adolescents in diverse educational settings? To address these questions, this chapter adopts an interpretivist paradigm and conducts a comprehensive meta-study of various research articles that explore the realities of reading culture in schools in South Africa and internationally. Through this meta-study, the chapter provides valuable insights into the intrinsic benefits of cultivating a reading culture among secondary school learners.