Date:25/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/25/stories/2008092562800300.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Programme to cultivate reading habit launched

Staff Reporter

Thiruvananthapuram: Education Minister M.A. Baby inaugurated ‘Vayambu,’ a novel programme of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and the Education Department to inculcate reading habit among Lower Primary School students, at Vattiyurkkavu Government L.P. School on Wednesday.

Inaugurating the programme, Mr. Baby said reading should encourage young students to develop their skill to dream and imagine Sports and Youth Affairs Minister M. Vijayakumar said steps were already in progress to include sports education in school curriculum.

The ‘Vayambu’ programme would be initially implemented in Class II of all schools in Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam districts.

As many as 10 stories in colourful laminated cards have been prepared for the programme. Students will be distributed one story card every week under the programme.

Mayor C. Jayan Babu inaugurated the ‘Vayambu’ story cards. General Education Secretary James Varghese, Vattiyurkavu grama panchayat president S. Pazhaniyapillai and ward councillor S. Binu were also present at the function.