Awarding marks for reading

If good habits become a part of life, they will follow us like a never-ending river. Thus, reading is one of the best habits a person can acquire. There is no other factor that motivates and influences a good life like reading. Reading has played a major role in moulding all the great men who have created the greatest changes in the physical world as we see it today. Although the means of reading and acquiring knowledge have changed in modern times, reading is not dead.

Reading was one of the great pastimes of old times. However, the situation has changed today. There are many ways to have fun. Therefore, children do not have the habit of reading like in the old days. This is not good for the future. It is in this context that we must welcome the announcement of Education Minister V Sivankutty to award marks for newspaper and book reading. The minister said that students will be given special marks for Classes 10 and Plus Two if they read newspapers and other books regularly. It has been decided to reserve half the marks in the further assessment for those who excel in reading newspapers and books. The minister has put forward this direction with the aim of promoting reading among children. This may turn out to be a decision that will benefit the children the most in the future.

Almost all the toppers in the civil service examination have pointed out the importance of newspaper reading. There is nothing like newspaper reading which is useful in helping one to form a self-opinion. Not only news but also opinions, positions, agreements, disagreements and criticisms are published in newspapers. One is free to form an opinion from it that suits his own view and point of view. One might not necessarily gain general knowledge by reading only textbooks.

Even many postgraduates might fail to give the correct answer when asked to name the first Malayali to become the President of India. This is because the level of general knowledge of our children is often very low. Many people study general knowledge by heart for the PSC exams. General knowledge is not something that should be learned by heart. Knowledge of worldly affairs is something that should be cultivated naturally through the habit of reading. Children who do not have the habit of reading will at least start reading upon listening that marks will be given for reading. It will benefit them more in future competitive exams and interviews. Therefore, the new decision of the Education Department should be implemented as soon as possible in the curriculum reform.