Join hands with us to create Reading Corners in schools

India lays emphasis on primary education up to the age of 14 years. More than 73% of children are in village schools, which are in extremely challenging situations as compared to the city schools. For example a UNESCO study points out that, only 27% of the village schools have electricity compared to 76% of the schools in towns or cities. And only about half of these rural schools have proper toilets for girls, and less that 4% have a telephone.

Most of the schools and the villages don't have libraries. Since the vast majority of students in villages come from economically and educationally disadvantaged homes, the only books they ever see are their textbooks. This sadly limits their reading and learning abilities, and they tend to dropout from the schools unable to enjoy learning/ reading.

We, the A&A Book Trust team is trying to persuade various state governments to act on the central government's recommendation to establish Reading Corners in schools. In addition, we are looking for partners to help us set up Reading Corners in 100 schools in the 3 districts we work in. These are Gurgaon (Haryana), Begusarai (Bihar), and Nainital (Uttarakhand).


What is a Reading Corner?

A Reading Corner is the first basic library in the village primary school which has no access to a library or a bookshop. In many village families, the children are the first generation learners, affording education only because it's free. The Reading Corner has a selection of age-appropriate, attractive books, carefully selected to initiate the children into enjoying books. Promising a lot of shared fun, the Reading Corner is the rural child's window to the world, widening the mental horizon.

Our Reading Corner kit comprises:

One hundred select books covering a range of topics, both fiction and non-fiction. The books are selected by a committee of expert consultants keeping the interests and needs of the children in mind Four posters for encouraging children to read A colourful nylon rope to hang the books on

How exactly will we establish Readers Clubs?

In 2009-10, we plan to set up Reading Corners in 100 primary schools, mainly in Gurgaon, Begusarai, and Nainital. Our team has already started mapping the schools to be covered, and urge them to constitute a Readers' Group comprising couple of interested students and a teacher, who will be responsible for setting up the Reading Corner, and activating it organising book related activities. We will also try to organize story-telling/author's visits to these schools.

Our reading volunteer will display the posters prominently in the school, tie the nylon rope at the back of a room or corridor, and hang the books on the nylon rope like a clothes-line. While all the children will have free access to the books, the Readers' Group will encourage them to read them as per the school schedule. Our reading volunteer will remain in touch with the Readers' Group to resolve issues, if any.

We'll also interact with the village community so that the parents and grandparents understand the importance of the Reading Corner. We have a step-by-step plan to add new books to the Reading Corners for the years to come, and before we know, the village might also have a small library of its own, for the children as well as the adults!


An Appeal to our friends and donors who wish to help

Friends, this is all about doing our own bit! The children in villages are hungry for books. You can see this in the pictures on our website. You can also see it for yourself if you plan a visit / travel with us to the schools.

Imagine, as little as €65 or US $100 is enough to set up a Reading Corner in a village school, which will draw children to reading, and change their lives.

If you believe in the power of books the way we do, please help us set up a Reading Corner in a school of your choice, in any of these three districts. In case you have no particular school in mind, we will identify one for you. We will make sure that you get some pictures of the Reading Corner, and the children enjoying reading and also share the feedback from the school.

There's so much to do. If you are a specialist, you can employ the skills for empowering the teachers, broadening their vision and professional skills. Be on our expert's panel, and help us hold workshops for teachers/students sharing your skills. Think of a role for yourself to promote reading in these areas, and join us in our effort.

We shall wait for your response. Just let us know how we can work together, and yes, we welcome questions!