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Bengaluru: Seriously noting that students in today's digital age are facing a lack of physical activity and concentration due to excessive use of mobiles and social media, the state government has moved to make reading Kannada daily newspapers mandatory for 10 minutes after morning prayers in all schools. This initiative is designed to steer children away from their mobile obsession.

The Director of the Primary Education Department, under the School Education and Literacy Department, has issued instructions to take necessary measures to ensure Kannada dailies are read for 10–15 minutes daily following morning prayers. This applies to all government, aided, and unaided schools, as well as residential schools, hostels, and child care institutions run by various government departments.

Children are spending significant time on the internet for education, entertainment, and social media. Excessive mobile usage has led to symptoms such as poor memory, hearing issues, and a lack of interest in physical activities. Consequently, the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights recommended that the School Education Department implement a daily habit of reading Kannada newspapers for at least 10 to 15 minutes to control this trend.

Taking this recommendation seriously, the School Education Department has made newspaper reading mandatory in schools effective immediately. According to education department sources, time will be officially allocated for newspaper reading in the daily schedule of the next academic year’s guidelines.

Recently, Uttar Pradesh made 10 minutes of daily newspaper reading mandatory in primary and secondary schools. Rajasthan has also implemented a similar rule. In Kerala, the government has introduced a project to make newspapers available in classrooms, where newspaper reading is part of the educational assessment.

The practice exists abroad as well

According to information from the World Association of News Publishers, newspapers are used as part of the curriculum in over 80 countries, including the US, UK, and New Zealand. Similarly, schools in developed nations have "information literacy" programs where time is reserved weekly or daily for discussing current affairs. Japan also follows the practice of using newspapers during school hours.

What do education experts say?

Experts believe that the language used in newspapers differs from academic texts and helps expand a child's vocabulary. Reading newspapers assists in instilling pure Kannada language skills, grammar, and writing styles while developing linguistic proficiency. Furthermore, it helps create awareness about happenings in the surrounding society. Experts also opine that reading newspapers plays a vital role in bringing children out of digital addiction and towards knowledge of the real world.

Ensure proper implementation in all schools

Shashidhar Kosambe, former president of the Child Rights Commission, stated that a letter was written to the Education Department last December requesting that Kannada newspaper reading be made mandatory. The government has responded positively. He has now requested the government to take steps for swift statewide implementation in all schools and residential institutions.

Key Highlights of the Order:

• Reading newspapers in schools is now mandatory.

• Time is to be fixed for reading after morning prayers.

• 10–15 minutes must be reserved daily.

• Applies to all government schools in the state.

Why this order?

• To curb mobile addiction in children.

• To increase students' concentration and memory.

• To improve pure Kannada language skills and vocabulary.

• To create awareness of current affairs in society.

• To lead children from the digital world toward reality.