Date:10/11/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/11/10/stories/2005111011320100.htm

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New library movement in the making

Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Education Department has charted out a task programme called `Vayanayilude Valaruka' (Grow up by Reading) for encouraging reading habit among schoolchildren.

At a press conference here on Wednesday, Education Minister E.T. Mohammed Basheer said libraries in all government schools and government-aided schools in the State would be modernised and strengthened under the programme. And a `library period' will be added to school timetable shortly.

The formal inauguration of the programme is scheduled to be held at a function at St. Teresa's School in Ernakulam on Thursday.

Mr. Basheer said 2,393 high schools and 2,827 upper primary schools would get better library facilities during the first phase of the programme by the first week of January 2006. Lower primary schools will get the facility subsequently.

The idea is to implement the programme with the participation of local bodies, non-governmental organisations, local clubs, financial institutions, school parent-teacher associations, Grandhasala Sanghom, cooperative societies, public sector institutions and media houses. Help will definitely flow in from all corners for such a programme, Mr. Basheer said.

He said the Education Department would provide the architectural plan of a compact library building to the schools to help them set up well-planned library facilities. The Government proposes to permit local bodies to use their Plan funds to help the schools in the programme.

Mr. Basheer said he had called a meeting of the programme's steering committee on Monday. Several leading book publishers and banks too had sent their representatives to the meeting. The book publishers promised special discounts on books for the school libraries. And the banks promised their patronage.

"Reading habit needs to be nourished, especially at this time when children have other distractions such as the television. A teacher from each school will be put through a special orientation course to double as a librarian to guide the students through the world of books. The services of protected teachers too can be used to run the school libraries. Or, youngsters who have passed the librarian's course can be taken on an ad hoc basis with the support of the parent-teacher associations to look after the libraries," Mr. Basheer said.

He said popular committees at the school, panchayat, block and district levels would be set up before November 19 for implementing the programme.