Encouraging the reading habit amongst children in MCD schools - Innovations in Education

Innovations in education – this gripping event replete with vivacity was held at the Bharat Soka Gakkai’s (BSG) International Peace Centre in Delhi on January 29, 2002. It showcased the culmination of a collaborative effort between the National Book Trust (NBT), Delhi Government and BSG. It focussed on a novel method that has been devised to encourage reading habits among young students in Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) schools. 

Conceived by the BSG, training in this unique ‘class library’ technique was undertaken with 117 teachers and 10 headmasters in the Capital’s MCD schools. Books – all NBT publications – are positioned all over the classroom and a dynamic, interactive method is being employed to attract students to books and foster the habit of reading. Eminent guests at the event included Prof Gangarade, former Pro Vice Chancellor, Delhi University and current Vice President Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti, Kenyan Ambassador, His Excellency Lo Amayo, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Shri Satbir, Chairman, Education Commission, MCD and Indira Yadav, Additional Director, Department of Education, MCD Schools.

Setting the mood was a performance by the BSG Himalayan Echo entitled "Great Transformation". A gripping musical rendition, this depicted an ordinary person’s turbulent mind, his restlessness and passionate resolve for peace. Finally -- after an intense inner search – an explosion of happiness.

In her welcome address Naveena Reddi, Director General, BSG, spoke on Soka Gakkai’s belief in ‘value creation’ and Dr Ikeda’s vision. Soka kindergarten and elementary schools have been established all over Japan and Soka University has been established in Japan and also in Aliso Viejo in the US. The current project, Reddi said, was the first initiative in education in India. 

Next, Ashok Arora, head of BSG’s Educators Division, said that they had been inspired by Dr Ikeda’s constant emphasis on thinking globally, but acting locally, so as to create world citizens at the grassroots. Stemming from a great desire to help the deprived sections, Arora said the idea originated last year at a symposium on the role of storytelling held at the Capital’s exposition grounds, Pragati Maidan.

Elaborating on this interactive method of a “free display of books in the classroom", Arora emphasised that the prime focus was to bring children closer to books, to demystify them and make them truly accessible to children. Further, he said that Pustak Utsavs (Festival of Books) would be held where there would be puppeteers, storytelling, a quiz and ‘Meet the Author’ sessions. An activity calendar designed by NBT would ensure that such events would be held at regular intervals in schools.

Has this worked? Yes, indeed. Children, inspired by the book "Rupa Hathi" (Rupa the Elephant) produced a play bringing the story of a disgruntled elephant alive. It showed how a bird concerned with the elephant’s depression, motivated other animals to offer their unique attractions to Rupa – tiger’s stripes, peacock’s feathers, etc – in the hope that this would alleviate his condition. Loaded with these assets, the proud elephant strutted around only to have the children at the zoo laugh at him. The moral – always assist the unhappy and that each of us has a unique attraction -- was brought alive with great effectiveness.

What do the teachers feel? Akshay, a teacher from an MCD school in the Capita’s Kailash Colony, said this was the first time he had heard of such a seminar, and wished it would go on forever. He found it “very refreshing” and was determined to implement this method in his class and “make a difference”.

Surekha Parandikar, writer, storyteller and member of the Association of Writers and Illustrators for Children, spoke of how the concept of home libraries originated in the US in 1983 and that now there are 70 such libraries. “There is no substitute for good books,” she said, just as “there is no substitute for mother’s milk”. When telling a story, one must become a child, she emphasised. It was a great crime to separate children from books and that a family that reads together stays together.

Indira Yadav felt this was a great opportunity for the MCD and expressed appreciation and gratitude to the BSG and NBT. Teachers become indifferent because of an overload of work – such workshops bring the spirit alive, she felt.

Prof Gangarade echoed the thought that it was a “great idea”. He adds -- “if you make a child fond of books in his formative years, he becomes a reader for lifetime".

Updated on: 19th April 2008