Kerala - Kochi   

Coax children

The State Government has drawn up a plan to promote reading habit among schoolchildren in a big way. As part of it, school libraries are being strengthened with more books and multi-media computers. There are also plans to introduce one library hour in schools from the coming academic year. What are your suggestions for making library work more meaningful for the students? Our readers respond:

Reading imparts not only knowledge but also character. Today, reading habit among schoolchildren is on the decline. Parents should coax children to read, especially English newspapers. It is good news that the Government has decided to introduce one library hour in schools from the coming academic year. This will be break for the students from the monotony of academics.

However, the authorities should ensure that the proposed one library hour is well utilised by the children. It should not turn into a leisure hour for teachers. Teachers are the best motivators as far as schoolchildren are concerned. They should inculcate reading habit among children. Instead of guiding children to the world of complex books, we should help them assimilate information from the newspapers. This will help children be aware of the happenings in the country and the world. Children should be asked to discuss important news items in the class.

Devadas K. Nair
Aluva

Promote reading

Reading should be encouraged. The State Government's decision to strengthen school libraries is a positive step. Parents and school authorities should promote reading habit among children. Schools should take steps to inculcate the habit among the students. Our school has taken some measures to promote reading: Library hours are allotted for each class from Class 1 onwards. Students are asked to submit the summary of each book they read. The school also provides a link in its website to send an email to the school. We are asked to send e-mails to our Principal about the books that we read. The encouraging replies prompt us to read more books. It should be concerted effort on the part of the parents, teachers, school management and the Government.

Rekha J
Class X
The Warwin School
Vaikom

Autobiographies

Providing a library or library-period is just not enough. The authorities should ensure that the students are benefited. They should be provided with books that can inculcate in them a sense of pride, happiness and unity. Libraries should stock autobiographies of great leaders and puzzles in mathematics. Librarians should guide the students. Students too should take up reading. Schools provide libraries, but it is for the students to make the best possible use of the facility.

Varghese Mathew
Kothamangalam

Allot library hour

Teachers with reading habit would be glad to involve themselves to supervise the library. Discussion on books and literature should be promoted by allotting a period for it. Students should be given the option of either attending such discussions or spending time in the library. Students should be given the freedom to read or photocopy any specific pages of books or access on-line libraries. During the discussion session on books, teachers and students should read books aloud or review a specific book. Proper intonation and graceful presentation should be given importance while reading a book. If the book is in English, the accent needs to be neutral. One of the best examples of neutral accent in English is the customary Christmas and New Year message of the Queen, which is broadcast through the radio and television. Parents should also read out books to children at home and encouraging discussion on books.

K.V.A. Iyer
Kochi

Good decision

Introducing a library hour in school curriculum is a good decision as this will help improve the reading skills of schoolchildren. Sir Francis Bacon had written: "Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested."

School authorities should ensure that children utilise the library hours well. Also multi-media computers in libraries will give access to libraries anywhere in the world. So, children will get a chance to read a variety of books. Teachers should give them assignments on various subjects so that students use their library hours fruitfully. Interesting books should be part of the library's collection. Student should get a chance to speak to others about what they have read. Teachers can ask their students to make short notes on articles or books they have read. The ambience should also be congenial to the students so that they can enjoy the library hours.

Gayathri S
Pallippad

Provide new books

The decision of the Government to open new libraries and provide new books and computers is a wise one. Most of the middle class or lower class families cannot afford new books for general reading. Providing computers at school may help the educationally backward children as they can surf on the Internet and gather information. Most of the existing school libraries do not have enough books. The only books available in the libraries are very old. The latest books are not bought periodically. Some school libraries are dingy and lack adequate number of windows and furniture. Authorities should modernise such libraries.

Asmi Jezeera
Thamallakkal

Lend books

Cities and towns have well-stocked libraries. Book stalls too sell books meant for supplementary reading. Children in rural areas find it difficult to access libraries and hence, not many of them are in the habit of reading books. It is an innovative reform on the part of the Government to provide schools with new books and multi-media computers. In schools, most often the library remains closed and even if they are, students are not allowed to take books. Few schools have libraries which function well. Unless the libraries are opened daily, the books arranged neatly and catalogued, and students allowed to borrow the books they wish to read, students will not get into the habit of reading. Since reference books are not to be taken out of the library, desks and benches should be provided in the hall to enable students to do the reference work in the library. Teachers should guide the students. Only then would the present initiative of the Government prove beneficial to schoolchildren.

K. Ramdas
Haripad

Choose with care

The move to strengthen libraries and introduce a library hour in schools is a welcome one. Care should be taken while selecting books as books mould the character and nature of an individual. The school libraries should contain all branches of knowledge. Detective fictions and vulgar books should not be bought. C.B.S.E. schools already have a library hour every week.

V.P. Ramesan
Kochi

Maintain register

Improving reading habit is a good idea. Children are so hooked on computers, television and other electronic media that they find little time to read. Television programmes prompt children to sit glued to the television for hours on end. Authorities should take steps to inculcate reading habit among children. School libraries should be strengthened and a period allotted for reading in the libraries. Students should be instructed to follow the timings in the library and a register should be maintained to note down the number of times they make use of the library.

P. Sankaranarayanan
Kochi

Laudable effort

It is laudable effort on the part of the Government to take steps to promote reading habit among school children. Many CBSE schools have library hours in their timetables. Apart from books for general reading, those related to the subjects should find a place in the library. This will help students increase their knowledge in areas that interest them. The success of the project will depend not only on the number of books that each library has but also on the modernisation of libraries. Teachers should take sincere efforts and parents too should cooperate.

Martin Joseph
E-mail

Easy access

Easy access to information and entertainment through television and other audio-visual media has led to the decline of reading among many children. Effective reading demands effort and application of various skills. This is what deters most children when they decide to pursue reading. Children should be trained in the techniques of reading and be briefed about the library set up. This will help children use the library facilities effectively. Teachers handling each subject should go through the catalogues to ensure that books catering to the tastes of children of various age groups are included in the library.

Rema Sivadas
Kochi

Popularise libraries

Can we imagine a world without books? Libraries should be a helping hand to those who are unable to buy books, either due to poverty or other reasons. Libraries should come forward to take active roles in making the public aware of education and knowledge. Computers should be introduced in libraries. Students should be encouraged to read books.

Anand M.G
Kochi

Is it practical?

Given the increasing number of schools, the student population and limited space available in schools, how practical is it to devote space exclusively for libraries? Classrooms could also function as libraries. Instead of an hour or so every week, students should be given access to books for general reading as often as they wish. A shift in focus from teaching to learning, will compel students to acquire knowledge on their own rather than expect teachers to given them notes.

Devraj Sambasivan
Alappuzha

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