Encouraging children to read @ DEAR – an innovative Library Movement Project
DEAR is an innovative interactive library movement
Schoolchildren in Ganjam district of Odisha
are being lured into the reading and writing habit in an entertaining manner
through a unique project named ‘Drop Everything and Read’ (DEAR).
DEAR, an innovative interactive library
movement project, was initiated in the district around three years ago. It has
already earned national recognition. In 2015, the project was selected for a
national award for innovation in educational administration. The project was
started in Ganjam district in December 2014 in around 1,000 schools. At
present, the project is successfully continuing in over 4,000 government
managed or aided schools of Ganjam district.
“This project targeted the alarming issue of
declining reading habit among school students, which was also affecting their
writing skills. Students were found to be concerned only about their textbooks
and we wanted to make the children feel that reading is linked to studies and
examination only. It can also be entertaining and activity of pleasure,” said
District Education Officer (DEO) of Ganjam, Sanatan Panda.
Dearth of books
But dearth of adequate number of books in
schools, especially the rural ones, was a major obstacle in the path of
enhancing the reading habit among students. In addition, books in school
libraries also remained locked in almirahs, out of reach of the students. As an
initial step, all schools in Ganjam district were advised to display most books
in their libraries before students. Books in school libraries were also
segregated as per their suitability for children of different age groups.
Source | The Hindu | 1 March 20017
Regards
Pralhad
Jadhav
Senior
Manager @ Library
Khaitan & Co
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