School Library – Gadchiroli, Maharashtra
To inculcate reading habit in students in order to enhance language (Marathi) learning outcomes in 6 months using existing infrastructure at schools.
Perspective / Context
In August 2018, when I reached the district there were very few active libraries in government schools. Most schools had books which were locked in cupboards. To ensure that children read books it was paramount that books were accessible. Most teachers at school claimed that the children were given books to be read in their homes. However, students at schools weren’t able to narrate any stories or even were unable to mention the names of the books that were issued to them.
Library books are necessary to inculcate reading habits in students, which has a direct implication on learning outcomes. Learning outcomes of language have a 7.5 % in the aspirational districts programme.
To inculcate the reading habit in children, the district administration launched reading campaign o 15th October on the occasion of the birth anniversary of former president Shri APJ Abdul Kalam. Reactivation of the closed libraries was the main theme of the reading campaign. The best 3 libraries were to be selected in January at a cluster, block and district level. At the end of the campaign the district would have 120 model libraries. All 2000+ schools will have functional libraries. At the end of the session this year, the administration plans to collect data of schools with less number of books to provide funds for buying books in the next academic year.
Stakeholders
| Education department stakeholders | District Leadership and Decision-makers | External Partners/ Volunteers |
|---|---|---|
| 1. DIET Principal | 1. District Collector (Funding authority) | 1. Kaivalya education foundation, Gandhi Fellows |
| 2. Education officers/ Primary and secondary | 2. Chief Executive Officer, Zila Parishad (Executive authority of education dept. At a district level) | 2. Chief Minister’s Rural Development Fellows |
| 3. Block Education officers | ||
| 4. Kendra Pramukh | ||
| 5. Head Master | ||
| 6. Teachers |
Criteria for Success
Improvement in Learning outcomes in language will be an indicator of the success of the reading campaign
Constraints within the initiative
Libraries might be initiated, but usage of it is dependant on the teachers.
Key Sources of Insight
Criteria of a good library and roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders were defined after a meeting with Kaivalya education foundation and DIET staff. Feedback was taken from all CMRDFs and Gandhi fellows regurlarly. This was key in measuring progress and to send follow up letters from the district level.
