[AD from SpringBay]

Reading is a gateway to knowledge and understanding of the world. I do not understand illiteracy being sanctioned anywhere.

Amen to what you said. Illiteracy is being sanctioned because illiterate people are less likely to think about new ideas they encounter in non-pop-culture venues. Readers start thinking about things that make the status-quo uncomfortable. We also don't want those kids who do read and who do get it to make those kids who don't read feel bad about themselves. Nor do we want people to question well established systems that are intent more on self-preservation than they are on their stated purposes.

[reformedliberal]

And yet, the Hunger Games trilogy was/is amazingly popular with teens and I have read of it being used in public schools.

The possible answer is that the Surveillance State is not yet complete, so some things can still sneak through.