The Education Ministry announced plans on Monday to encourage students to read more books and participate in more reading programs.

As part of the after-school programs, various kinds of reading activities will be introduced at schools for teachers and students, including "reading and debate" clubs and reading camps.

To help teachers sharpen their capabilities to guide students in reading, the ministry will offer financial support to 500 teachers’ reading clubs this year. The number of teachers’ reading clubs receiving government support will grow to one-thousand by 2013.