Date:09/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/09/stories/2008110957400300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

‘Reading is relevant for all times’

S. Harpal Singh

Programme to inculcate the habit among schoolchildren launched

— PHOTO: G. SANJEEV REDDY

Knowledge is power: Students at Little Star High School, Adilabad, spend 15 minutes reading newspapers everyday.

ADILABAD: “Reading maketh a full man...” philosopher Francis Bacon’s quote of 15th century stands good even in the present circumstances wherein improved modes of dissemination of information have made the need for reading seem rather obsolete. “Reading of newspapers, among other things, keeps you abreast of developments in different fields,” opines P. Arogya Reddy, principal of Little Star High School in Adilabad town, who has introduced the Drop Everything And Read (DEAR) programme this academic year.

The DEAR programme envisages 15 minutes of dedicated reading of newspapers and books from the school library every day by everyone present including teachers and students. Newspaper copies are supplied in the school itself, which the students and teachers carry home at the end of the working day.

“The idea was to inculcate reading habit among students so that they could pick up on their knowledge of English language. The content of newspapers, especially in the specialised pages of The Hindu, has come in handy for our teachers to impart that information to students,” explains Mr. Arogya Reddy.

Neha Rani of Class X feels that the DEAR programme will equip her with the kind of proficiency in English language needed in today’s world. While Kalyani of Class VIII says she has improved her vocabulary, Neelaveni of Class VII says she knows more about the world around her, thanks to the DEAR programme.

Vital role

Kamalakar Reddy, the teacher in-charge of the programme emphasised the obvious when he said reading habit plays a vital role in achieving academic and professional growth. “Because of this inherent advantage of reading, students have come to like the programme very much,” he points out.

“Even parents have appreciated our move to introduce reading as part of the daily study routine. Most of the students who carry the newspaper home spend their spare time in reading instead of wasting it in some unproductive activity,” the school principal adds.