Play-and-learn libraries in govt schools gain popularity

RANCHI: Playing and learning in the library is a new method of teaching which is gaining popularity in various government primary schools in the state capital.

To spread the innovative idea to other districts, a dissemination workshop was held on Tuesday by the Room to Read India Trust, which is setting up these libraries. The trust in 2008 had established 50 libraries as a pilot project in government primary schools in Mandar block in collaboration with the Jharkhand Education Project Council (JEPC).

"Their work of setting up libraries has created wonders for children. It has also helped in changing the mindset of parents who are now encouraging their children to read and take books from libraries," said D K Saksena, state project director of JEPC.

However, the library is not restricted to school students alone, other students from the locality can also borrow books. "Knowledge is not limited to schools. It should percolate down to the community. Thus schools should be used as knowledge and information dissemination centres," said Saksena.

Parents are very happy with the progress of their sons and daughters. "People usually think that the standard of government schools is not up to the mark. But when I saw my daughter keen on going to school, I realized the usefulness. She herself started reading after returning from school. This was not there before," said a mother, Ashmina Khatoon.

"From 585 schools we need to move this mission to the rest 40,000 schools. We need more teachers and trainers for this," said Saksena.

The state manager for Room to Read, Sharique Mashhadi, said, "About 125 libraries will be set up in Latehar. We are trying to build up a strong community to help this mission."