Bengaluru Launches 21-Day Readathon in 47,000 Govt Schools

Dec. 30, 2024, 2:01 p.m.

The Karnataka school education department has initiated a 21-day readathon across 47,000 government schools for students in classes 1 to 7. This initiative, starting Tuesday, is aimed at developing a reading culture through a series of daily activities. As per the circular from the commissioner of school education and literacy, the readathon features diverse tasks.

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On the first day, students, teachers, and officials paused their regular work to read for 30 minutes. On the following day, students were tasked with organising reading corners and repairing damaged books in a ‘book hospital’. Teachers selected age-appropriate stories for reading sessions on Thursday, while Friday's activity involved collecting and reading comic strips during assembly. The initiative extends into the community on weekends, where children visit libraries and set up reading spaces at home. They are encouraged to read their favorite stories to family members, record videos, and share them with teachers.

Parents are also invited to read stories in classrooms. In the final week, students will dress as their favorite literary characters, perform role plays, and create their own stories. The programme is backed by a July 26 circular encouraging schools to create dedicated reading spaces using library and Reading Room (RR) fund grants. The goal, according to Aparupa Negi, state lead for Room to Read Karnataka, is to build a lasting reading culture beyond textbooks and inspire enthusiasm for literature within schools and communities.