'Reading

Hour' and 'Newspaper Reading' will get a new boost: Minister Sandeep Singh

Lucknow,

26 May (HS): To strengthen the reading culture in the state's basic and

secondary schools, the state government has issued instructions to intensify

the campaign on a large scale with the start of the 2026-27 academic year.

Under the guidance of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, special emphasis is being

placed on developing reading habits, language proficiency, logical thinking,

and creative expression in children.

State

Minister of State for Basic Education (Independent Charge), Sandeep Singh,

stated that the state government is working toward the holistic development of

students, not limiting education solely to the curriculum. He explained that

strengthening the culture of reading is a priority for our education system.

When children read regularly, their language skills, communication skills, and

logical thinking will develop. To this end, programs like Reading

Hour, Newspaper Reading, and the DEAR Campaign

are being effectively implemented in all schools. He added that to foster

creativity and independent thinking among students, writing activities are

being encouraged alongside reading. Programs like writing competitions, book

reviews, and news-based writing will be conducted in schools to help students

improve their expression.

In

this regard, Additional Chief Secretary, Basic and Secondary Education, Partha

Sarathi Sen Sharma, has directed all concerned officials, including Principals

of Dietitians, AD Basic Education Officers, BSAs, and BEOs, to make personal

and dedicated efforts to ensure the effective implementation of the previously

issued guidelines. The government's objective is to create a positive reading

environment in schools, so that students can regularly engage with books and

newspapers.

The

government has directed that schools regularly organize Reading

Hour, incorporate news readings into prayer meetings, and encourage

students to read books. Additionally, under the Drop Everything and Read

(DEAR) campaign, all students and teachers will read books of their

choice at designated times each week.

The

Super-20 reading challenge at the primary level and the

Super-30 reading challenge at the upper primary level will also be

accelerated. Arrangements have been made to honor students who read a set

number of books, and to award the student who reads the most books at the

school level by declaring them Champion Reader of the Year.

Apart

from this, students will also be made to participate in writing work, story

writing, review writing and other creative activities based on the material

read, so that their thinking, expression and analytical abilities can be

properly developed.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi