Singapore Launches ReadSG: Get Paid to Read in Anti-Phone Campaign
SingTao · 3 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago1 MIN
Summary
Singapore's National Library Board (NLB) launched the ReadSG programme on September 6, 2026, as a five-year national experiment to revive deep reading habits among citizens, particularly younger generations facing constant digital distractions . The gamified initiative rewards participants who read for at least 15 minutes daily with 20 virtual coins, which accumulate towards cash redemption and charitable donations .
Key Points
- Participants register on the official ReadSG website and log reading sessions of 15 minutes or longer to earn 20 virtual tokens per session
- Accumulating 1,000 coins redeems for 1 Singapore dollar (approximately 6 Hong Kong dollars), requiring roughly 50 consecutive days of reading
- The pilot programme runs until the end of 2026, with a collective goal of 7.5 million reading minutes to unlock 150,000 SGD (923,000 HKD) for charity donations
- NLB Director Melissa Tam stated that while short-form content aids information gathering, long-form reading strengthens concentration, critical thinking, and imagination
- Singapore retained its top ranking in reading literacy in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), though officials worry students abandon leisure reading after primary school due to exam pressures