The Education department in Hyderabad, India has launched a reading campaign called ‘Patanotsavam’ to encourage reading habits among government school students. The campaign will last for a month and schools have been instructed to allocate one period daily for reading sessions for students from grades I to IX. The goal is to make students independent readers and ensure that every child learns to read.
Some schools have already started the programme and have seen a positive change in students. At Government Girls High School in Mahboobia, a separate period is set apart for the programme. In the primary section, students not only read textbooks but also English and Telugu newspapers. The school has also set up a small library with the help of an NGO.
English teacher, Syamsunder, believes that this campaign will help develop students’ reading skills and foster a sense of pride in them. Maths teacher, Ravinder, thinks that this initiative goes beyond the traditional classroom setting and provides students with a holistic learning experience. However, he acknowledges that it may be difficult to continue the campaign in higher sections due to a lack of proper classrooms in many government schools.
