Newspaper reading in schools; Newspapers to be provided free of cost

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Reading programs and learning activities involving newspapers will be conducted in schools to improve students' language and to help them acquire knowledge. Minister V Sivankutty directed the General Education Department to provide free newspapers in schools for this purpose. Newspaper reading will be used to improve the learning environment. Reading will develop vocabulary, topical knowledge, critical thinking, creativity and social awareness. Decisions were taken in the meeting of press workers representatives chaired by the minister.

Important instructions

• Newspapers should be made available for free in all classes
• Malayalam, English and other language newspapers should be made available
• Time for reading newspapers in classes 1 to 10 on non-assembly days
• Newspapers should publish children's writings
• Children should be trained to prepare school level newspapers
• Every class should present the main news of that week once a week
• School radio should be used for reading news
• Children's discussion about important news once a week
• In LP, pictures from newspapers that can be related to the lessons should be used
• Children's writings based on newspaper pictures
• The news marked by the teacher should be read in the assembly
• Children should draw pictures based on the news