LUCKNOW — The Uttar Pradesh government has mandated daily newspaper reading in all secondary and basic primary schools across the state. This initiative aims to strengthen a reading culture among students and reduce excessive screen time. The directive, issued on December 23 by Additional Chief Secretary (Secondary and Basic Primary Education) Parth Sarathi Sen Sharma, outlines new requirements.
The government order requires schools to make both Hindi and English newspapers available in their libraries. This ensures students have access to diverse news sources and can engage with current events in multiple languages.
Mandatory Daily Reading Sessions
Under new guidelines, all schools must dedicate a minimum of 10 minutes daily to newspaper reading during morning assembly. Students will take turns reading aloud key editorials and major news developments. This rotational reading will cover national, international, and sports news, ensuring broad exposure to current affairs.
To enhance language proficiency, the initiative introduces a daily “word of the day” exercise. Five challenging words, selected from newspapers, will be displayed on school notice boards. This practice expands students’ vocabulary.
Program Objectives and Student Benefits
Uttar Pradesh government officials state this mandatory activity will yield multiple benefits for students. The program aims to improve general knowledge, critical thinking, and concentration skills. It also seeks to boost vocabulary and foster social awareness among young learners.
Furthermore, the government views this initiative as a step in preparing students for competitive examinations. Regular engagement with current affairs and diverse texts develops stronger analytical and comprehension skills. The program also intends to sensitize students against fake news, promoting media literacy from an early age.
Complementary School Activities
In addition to the core daily reading mandate, schools are encouraged to implement various complementary activities. These include students publishing their own school newspapers or magazines, offering practical experience in journalism and content creation.
For students in Classes 9 to 12 , schools are advised to organize editorial-based writing competitions or structured group discussions. These activities promote deeper engagement with news content and help students formulate informed opinions. Crossword and Sudoku competitions, utilizing newspaper content, are also recommended for interactive learning.
Junior students are urged to engage in creative scrapbook-making using news cuttings. This hands-on activity helps them interact with information visually and creatively.
Context of a Broader Reading Campaign
These latest instructions build upon a broader reading campaign launched on November 2 . That campaign’s primary goal was to instill robust book-reading habits and curb excessive reliance on mobile phones and social media.
The November 2 order established several key provisions. It allowed students direct access to government district libraries, broadening their exposure to physical books. It also made it mandatory for students to issue at least one non-syllabus book every week. Avid readers received appreciation certificates as an incentive.
As an integral part of the earlier campaign, the “No Bouquet, Only Book” initiative was launched. This promoted the gifting of books instead of traditional trophies or bouquets at school functions, symbolizing the value of reading.
Statewide Implementation and Enforcement
Both the December 23 order, detailing newspaper reading, and the preceding November 2 guidelines for general reading habits, have been widely circulated. All divisional education officials, district inspectors of schools, and basic education officers have received these directives. Senior officials have issued strict instructions for comprehensive implementation across all secondary and basic primary schools throughout Uttar Pradesh.