UP launches reading drive in schools

Uttar Pradesh has ordered schools to set aside a regular class period for students, teachers and principals to read together, according to a May 13 government order reported by Hindustan Times. The programme, described as a “reading campaign” and “reading hours,” is aimed at reducing screen time and rebuilding reading habits in schools across the state. During the protected period, participants can read books, magazines or stories of their choice. The order also calls for monthly “Reading Quiz Festivals” tied to books, children’s literature and newspapers. ### Who issued the order, and when did it take effect? A May 13 order was issued by Partha Sarthi Sen Sharma, Uttar Pradesh’s additional chief secretary for secondary and basic education, instructing education officials across the state to implement the reading programme. Hindustan Times reported that the directive covered schools and libraries and asked officials to ensure proper execution of the campaign. (hindustantimes.com) The Uttar Pradesh Basic Education Department’s official website was active on May 14 and lists government orders and department updates, though the underlying order text was not directly accessible through the search results reviewed. The department site identifies itself as the official portal for the state’s school education administration. ### What exactly are schools being asked to do during the reading period? (hindustantimes.com) One class period will be reserved for shared reading by principals, teachers and students, according to the report. The material is not limited to textbooks: participants may choose books, magazines or stories during the session. That detail makes the exercise closer to a dedicated reading block than a conventional lesson period. (basiceducation.up.gov.in) Monthly “Reading Quiz Festivals” will also be organised, with quizzes based on books, children’s literature and newspapers. The reported structure combines a recurring in-class reading slot with a separate monthly activity built around recall and discussion. ### Is this a new push, or part of a broader reading policy? (hindustantimes.com) A December 23 directive reported earlier this year required daily newspaper reading in Uttar Pradesh’s government and aided schools, according to Education Today and Indiatimes. Those reports said the state also introduced a “word of the day” activity and a “No Bouquet, Only Book” campaign as part of a wider effort to strengthen reading habits and general awareness. (hindustantimes.com) The new May order appears to extend that approach by creating a broader reading slot rather than limiting the exercise to newspapers. That comparison is an inference based on the two reported directives, not language directly quoted from the May order. ### Why does the programme focus on choice of reading material? (educationtoday.co) Books, magazines and stories were all explicitly included in the reported guidance, giving schools room to use age-appropriate material already on hand. The order, as described by Hindustan Times, does not confine the exercise to a prescribed list in the reading period itself. (hindustantimes.com) That flexibility matters operationally because it lets schools run the period through existing classrooms and libraries rather than a separate procurement-heavy programme. The available reporting does not specify a new budget allocation, book purchase mandate or separate staffing requirement tied to the campaign. (hindustantimes.com) ### What happens next in schools? Schools in Uttar Pradesh are expected to begin implementing the “reading campaign” and “reading hours” under the May 13 directive, with education officials responsible for oversight. The next visible milestone in the programme is the monthly “Reading Quiz Festival,” which the order says will draw on books, children’s literature and newspapers. (hindustantimes.com) The Basic Education Department’s official portals and government-order archives are the state’s formal channels for further notices, circulars and implementation updates. Those sites were live on May 14 and list department notices and archived orders. (basiceducation.up.gov.in) (hindustantimes.com)