Singapore has introduced an innovative five-year initiative named ReadSG, which encourages residents to read books by offering monetary rewards. Participants are required to dedicate a minimum of 15 minutes each day to reading and must log their activities on a designated government platform. For every reading session recorded, individuals earn 20 virtual coins that equate to 2 Singapore cents. While it is unlikely that anyone will become wealthy from this program—since only one session of 15 minutes per day is eligible for rewards—the coins cannot be redeemed for cash. Instead, they can be utilized for purchases at participating stores through a QR code system. The government has opted not to verify whether individuals genuinely read during the registered sessions. The primary aim of this initiative is to cultivate lasting reading habits among Singaporeans. Melissa Tan from the National Library Board states, "We understand that habits are formed through small, consistent actions. Thus, we have set a straightforward objective—just read for 15 minutes a day, whether on the bus, before sleeping, or during lunch." In the current landscape, some may question whether monetary incentives should be necessary for reading, while others believe the joy of reading should be sufficient motivation.
Informational material. 18+.
