Kerala Forest department sets up ‘classroom libraries’ in Madatharakani Government High School
Madatharakani Government High School in Kerala is rewriting the rules of reading time. Students no longer have to wait for library day to grab their
Madatharakani Government High School in Kerala is rewriting the rules of reading time. Students no longer have to wait for library day to grab their next favorite book—they just have to look at the back of their own classroom, where fully stocked and carefully curated shelves are making reading a natural part of every school day. In a unique intervention, the Thiruvananthapuram Forest Division has launched a novel ‘classroom library’ initiative at the school placing age-appropriate and curriculum-aligned books within arm’s reach of the children.
By providing effortless access to literature right where they study, the initiative aims at seamlessly integrating reading into the students’ daily academic routines. From economically disadvantaged families Located within the Kulathupuzha Range, the school has around 500 students hailing from economically disadvantaged families. This includes children living in forest-fringe areas such as Potomavu, Madathara Kalayapuram, and Thannimoodu, as well as the children of members of various Vana Samrakshana Samitis (VSS) functioning under the Kulathupuzha Forest Range. To ensure that these students will always have access to books, the Forest department has set up 14 distinct libraries directly inside individual classrooms.
“Having books readily available will help students cultivate a persistent reading habit, stimulate creativity, and build critical thinking faculties. Beyond academic enrichment, the project is envisioned to sharpen language skills and instill a deeper sense of social consciousness among the young learners,” says a Forest official. He adds that this classroom library projct doubles as a constructive social campaign against substance abuse. It has been strategically aligned to support Operation Toofan, the comprehensive anti-drug awareness and prevention campaign being actively implemented by the Kerala government to completely eliminate the menace of narcotics from educational institutions and the public sphere.
“The initiative seeks to counter negative influences by offering wholesome alternatives. Good books can be a child’s best companion keeping them ethically grounded, socially responsible, and free from narcotics,” he says.
The BriefWire