I heard county councillor Melinda Tilley on BBC Radio Oxford, on September 28, state that “children who cannot read have no imagination”.
She was dithering at that stage, so I am not sure she meant to say that, in support of the county council reading programme.
Having taught for many years, I suggest she spends a day in a nursery or reception class to realise that young people who cannot read often have wonderful imaginations and are very creative.
I agree being able to read well, understanding the text and learning a love of books does indeed unlock many doors for children at school, but it is worrying that the head of education for the county council may not quite have a grasp of the development and acquisition of learning.
Mervyn Hughes Headington
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