[Assam] NGO, schools team up on classroom libraries (The Telegraph, 30.06.2008)

[Buljit Buragohain]

NGO, schools team up on classroom libraries

A STAFF REPORTER 





 

Children browse through books at a book festival organised by Anwesha. File picture 
June 29: Classroom library concept is all set to enrich the reading culture in city schools. Anwesha, an NGO, engaged in promoting and developing the culture of reading, has decided to join hands with schools to set up classroom libraries. 
The president of Anwesha, Paresh Malakar, said to develop a reading habit one needs to read good books from his childhood, and our organisation is trying to develop the habit by setting up libraries in every classroom. 
He said the concept of classroom library has been popular in schools of all countries. “It has been found that many students often misuse their free periods at schools without doing anything worthwhile. Classrooms become noisy as students start chatting and shouting during their break time. A similar situation prevails in the absence of teachers in the classrooms. Once the classroom library is set up students can read books other than their textbooks during their break time,” he said. 
Malakar said Delhi Public School has already set up classroom libraries and Anwesha would now join hands with other schools to set up similar libraries. He said the NGO is ready provide all logistic helps to the schools which are interested in catering to the needs of students of different classes. 
“It would not be a very difficult job to set up the classroom library. One will have to define an area of the classroom as the library. The area should give students the freedom to leisurely peruse the books. Books will have to be placed in a way so that the students can comfortably examine them. The books will have to be rotated among the students so that each one gets the chance to enjoy the books, and newer ones should be displayed to enhance their reading habit,” he said. 
One of the prime reasons behind the need to have classroom libraries is the fact that students rarely read books other than their textbooks.
After conducting a survey, Anwesha has come to the conclusion that students are often busy in reading their textbooks, doing their homework and attending tuition classes and they cannot find the extra time to go to the library. 
Malakar said a reading habit would have to be developed at a very early stage and classroom libraries would definitely be helpful in developing this habit among students. 
He said the NGO has initiated various measures like the summer reading book fairs to motivate students to read books to develop creativity. 
A summer book fair will be held at the NGO’s office in the city in July. The fair aims at making the students read and buy different books during their summer vacation. Many teachers and schools are appreciating Anwesha’s endeavour. 
The principal of Cotton Collegiate Government Higher Secondary School, Pabitra Kumar Deka, said the school has been encouraging students to read more books and welcomes any step, including the setting up of classroom libraries to help such a cause.
 
(The Telegraph,30.06.2008)
 http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080630/jsp/guwahati/story_9482760.jsp


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