required reading
Just another bu**s**t compulsory activity (like in-depth studying of history or science or chemistry) in school dat usually just wastes your time/energy/patience and very seldom has any use in future life or employment.
I imagine that "required reading" has often significantly contributed to childhood dissatisfaction and lack of bonding among siblings, since many a youngster has had to sadly play by himself because Big Bro/Sis had to study books instead of paying attention to said toddler.