Enriching skills
SANGEETH KURIAN
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The News Paper in Education programme is meant to increase the students’ proficiency in reading, writing and listening.
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Photo: S. Mahinsha
NIE: A programme for the students.
The Joint Commissioner for Entrance Examinations S.N. Kumar has said that The Hindu News Paper in Education programme (NIE) adds value to education, enriches vocabulary, experience and communication skills.
The Joint Commissioner’s kudos came here at the launch of the NIE and a special newspaper subscription scheme for students at the MGM School, Akkulam, last week.
Continuing his inaugural speech, Mr. Kumar urged the students to read The Hindu especially its editorials on a daily basis. Your endeavour should be to learn three new words a day. Write down the words, learn its meaning and try to use it in your writings and conversation with your friends. At the end of the day the words will be imprinted in your mind,” he told the students. “By the end of the month you will have learned around 90 new words and within a year you will enrich your vocabulary by more than 1000 words,” he told the students.
Emphasising the growing relevance of newspapers in the information age, Mr. Kumar was of the view that the popularity of television, Internet and radio does not diminish the power and influence wielded by newspapers on the readers. “The in-depth new reports which a newspaper can offer make it comprehensive and exhaustive.” The Hindu on its part has been providing “balanced news to the readers” allowing them to form their own opinion instead of thrusting the papers views on the readers. “The Hindu gives news without sensationalising it; that is the advantage of this newspaper,” he said.
Debate
The Joint Commissioner was of the view that reading the newspaper helps to hone one’s debating skills. “Select a topic and spend at least 15 minutes on it debating.” He also advised the students on the need to be in touch some of the contemporary issues through the newspaper. He highlighted the ongoing controversy raging over the Std. VII social science text book in the State as a case in point.
“Whether we are interested in the controversy or not we should have understanding about the issue and have an opinion of our own. Reading newspapers does not deprive our time instead it adds value to our education.”
V.J. John principal of the school stressed the significance of reading newspapers along with other text books. Amal Mary George, assistant head girl and Std. IX student of the school proposed the vote of thanks.
The NIE programme meant for children from Stds. VII to IX, is aimed at increasing their proficiency in reading, writing, listening, speaking, mathematics, sciences and social studies.
Nearly 3.5 lakh students from 46 cities across the country are covered under it. The NIE programme aims to develop useful attitudes, skills and knowledge in children. The programme is implemented with the assistance of 340 resource persons.
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