Singapore residents offered virtual rewards for reading books

Singapore has launched a five-year national ReadSG programme, under which residents are offered virtual rewards for reading books on a daily basis, El.kz reports.

To participate, residents must read for at least 15 minutes a day and register their reading session on the government platform. For each eligible 15-minute session, participants receive 20 virtual coins, equivalent to approximately two Singapore cents.

Participants cannot earn a significant amount through the programme, as only one 15-minute session per day is counted. The coins cannot be converted into cash; however, they can be used to pay for purchases at participating shops and establishments via QR code.

At the same time, programme organisers will not verify whether participants actually read for the entire duration of the registered session. The primary objective of the programme is not financial reward, but rather the development of a sustained reading habit.

“Habits are formed through small but consistent actions. That is why we are starting with a simple goal: to read for just 15 minutes a day. On the bus, before going to bed or during lunch,”, Head of the National Library Board of Singapore Melissa Tam said.

The five-year programme is intended to make reading a regular part of the daily lives of residents across the country.