Spanish town ponders paying kids to read

A small-town Spanish mayor concerned about a high dropout rate in local schools has devised a way to keep kids studying—pay them.

Agustin Jimenez, Socialist mayor of the central agricultural town of Noblejas, is recommending the town’s children be given a euro—the equivalent of $1.50—for every hour they spend reading in the local library.

The sweetener is part of a series of measures to be voted on by the Noblejas council in March. Others include funds for apartments in university towns for students from Noblejas, teachers to give private lessons to struggling students, and expert advice to parents on the virtues of keeping their children at school. Read the story on The Associated Press website.