It could be that students have different interests and the assigned novels don't engage them. Also, the teaching methods might not make the reading experience enjoyable or meaningful.
There are several reasons. Maybe the novels are too difficult for the students' reading level. Or there's not enough time for in-depth discussion and understanding. Another factor could be that the assessment methods don't encourage true comprehension.
Reading novels in schools might not be effective because the curriculum is too focused on tests rather than fostering a love for reading. Also, if the classroom environment is not conducive to immersive reading, students won't get much out of it.