New Initiative to Enhance Reading, Vocabulary, and Awareness
The Rajasthan government has introduced a new policy making daily newspaper reading compulsory in all state-run schools. The initiative aims to promote reading habits, improve vocabulary, and increase awareness of national and global affairs among students.
Under the new guidelines, students will spend at least 10 minutes every morning reading newspapers during the morning assembly.
Officials stated that this exercise is designed to help students stay informed, develop analytical skills, and cultivate a deeper understanding of current events from an early age.
New Guidelines for Schools
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Senior Secondary & English-Medium Schools: Must subscribe to at least two newspapers — one in Hindi and one in English.
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Upper Primary Schools: Must provide two Hindi newspapers during the morning assembly.
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Subscription Costs: Covered by the Rajasthan School Education Council.
Vocabulary and Discussion Activities
To further strengthen language skills, schools are instructed to:
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Select five new words daily from newspapers and explain their meanings.
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Read one national English newspaper and one Hindi newspaper aloud each morning.
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Group students class-wise to read and discuss editorials, along with major national, international, and sports news.
Officials believe the initiative will enhance general knowledge, raise social awareness, and better prepare students for competitive examinations.
Alignment with National Education Policy
The move aligns with the learning objectives and holistic development goals outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP).
Similar Measures in Other States
A similar step was recently implemented by the Uttar Pradesh government, making newspaper reading a daily mandatory activity in secondary and primary schools. The initiative aims to cultivate a strong reading culture while reducing screen time.
Schools in Uttar Pradesh were also encouraged to:
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Publish school newspapers or magazines
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Organize editorial-based writing and group discussions for Classes 9–12
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Conduct activities such as crossword puzzles and Sudoku competitions
