Reading is one of the most essential skills a child can develop. It opens up a world of imagination, builds critical thinking, and lays the foundation for lifelong learning. Children who engage in regular reading are more likely to excel academically and socially.
Reading has the ability to transport us to incredible places, and unearth and explore new cultures, languages, and experiences that can shape the way we look at the world. From our own experience as educators and mentors, we have noticed that the more a child reads, the better their diction, writing, and understanding become. In today’s fast, tech-driven world, it is more important than ever to inculcate in children the value of reading books—be it virtual or physical—on their path to becoming critical thinkers, lifelong learners, change-makers and trendsetters.
At Mahatma Jyotiba Phule (MJP) School, Kothavalasa, Andhra Pradesh, the need to create a culture of reading was evident. Students lacked the habit of exploring literature beyond their textbooks, and the joy of discovering stories remained untapped. Recognising this, the school leader leveraged the Reading Program introduced by Mantra4Change in MJPAPBCWREIS, adapting it to engage students in literature and embed reading as a practice in their daily lives.
The People Behind the Vision
The Reading Program in MJP Society Schools owes its beginning to two individuals driven by a shared passion for education. Mr. A. Krishna Mohan, former Secretary of MJPAPBCWREIS, firmly believes in the power of literature. “Books open doors to new worlds and fresh perspectives,” he says. He was joined by Mr. Nikunj Jhaveri, Founder of Systems Plus Group and advisor to Mantra4Change. Together, they contributed to the program, each contributing equally to make it a reality.
In 2023, they distributed 40 Amar Chitra Katha books to each of the 107 schools under MJPAPBCWREIS. These books, filled with rich Indian stories, aimed to ignite the curiosity of students. Learning from initial challenges, the program expanded in 2024, adding 39 books to cater to diverse interests.
A Systemic Approach to Reading
The program didn’t stop at just distributing books. It aimed to embed a love for reading into the school’s daily life. Dedicated reading spaces—from library rooms to reading walls—were set up in every school. Each class was assigned a mandatory library period, ensuring every child had the time and space to read.
Monthly Learning Circles led by Mantra4Change brought teachers, student book monitors, and principals together to share experiences and ideas.
These forums build collaboration, making the program not just a school initiative but a community effort.
School Leader Leading the Change
When U. Vijayakumar Pathro became the Principal of MJP Kothavalasa five years ago, he brought with him over 30 years of experience and a clear vision: to make quality education accessible to every student. “Curiosity drives learning,” he often says, emphasising the importance of reading in shaping young minds.
Mr. Pathro led by example. Whether reading a newspaper or diving into a book during breaks, he modeled the behavior he hoped to see in his students and staff. His actions spoke louder than words, setting the tone for a school-wide reading culture.
Innovations That Worked
Designed by Mantra and MJP Society, the program’s creative practices have been successfully brought to life by dedicated school leaders like Mr. Pathro.
- Daily Library Periods: A dedicated library period for each class has become non-negotiable.
- DEAR Initiative: Every Saturday, the entire school participates in “Drop Everything and Read” initiative, including teachers and non-teaching staff.
- Student Leadership: Each class has a book monitor responsible for managing, recording and distributing books.
- Weekly Book Reviews: Every week, Pathro Sir personally joins students in book reviews, inspiring them to express themselves and think critically.
- Inspirational Reads: Books like Sudha Murthy’s stories and the autobiographies of changemakers resonate with students, encouraging them to dream big.
“In this DEAR program, we all sit down to read books. Our principal sir, every class teacher, they’ll come. Any class student there, that class teacher, they’ll sit down. Principal will also sit down with us, if any nice story is there sir will tell all of us the moral of the story.
– Keerthana, Class 9, MJP Kothavalasa
Tackling Challenges Head-On
The journey hasn’t always been smooth. Some students initially found the storybooks unappealing. Pathro Sir got everyone involved. “When the entire school participates, students feel like they’re part of something bigger,” he explains.
Expanding the selection of books to include age-appropriate and relatable stories helped bridge gaps. Mr. Pathro not only led the implementation but also ensured the program ran smoothly by involving his staff. He thoughtfully divided responsibilities among three teachers to avoid overburdening any one person. While the Learning Circle (LC) structure remained consistent, he introduced his own system for sharing the workload. He regularly reminded teachers about upcoming sessions through the staff WhatsApp group, helping maintain momentum and accountability.
School Leadership Leading to Student Outcome
The Reading Program’s impact is visible in the students’ growing enthusiasm and confidence:
- Longer Reading Sessions: Students now read for over an hour, compared to just 20 minutes initially.
- Engagement Across Levels: Even slow learners have started exploring picture books and simple stories.
- Critical Thinking: Weekly book reviews spark discussions on topics like women’s empowerment and career aspirations.
- Inspiration: One student shared, "Reading Sudha Murthy’s story about teaching her grandmother inspired me to teach mine."
The impact isn’t limited to anecdotes alone — participation in the reading program has been consistently high, with over 70% student engagement recorded each month from August to December. This consistency is a reflection of strong school leadership, dedicated teachers, and a supportive reading culture.
Lessons for the Future
Pathro Sir’s leadership sets an example for other schools. He models the behaviour he expects from his staff and ensures everyone shares responsibility:
- Make Reading Fun: Choose books that resonate with students’ interests and experiences.
- Involve Everyone: From teachers to non-teaching staff, make reading a collective effort.
- Empower Students: Assign roles like book monitors to instill responsibility and ownership.
“Principal Sir has discussed once to start telling stories during the assembly. As a teacher, I really like that students get a chance to speak in the assembly two or three times a week. It helps them become more confident and lose stage fear.
– Swapnapriya Ma’am, MJP Kothavalasa
Turning Pages, Transforming Lives
What started as a simple initiative has become a movement, thanks to the dedication of Pathro Sir and his school. As he puts it, “Reading isn’t just an activity; it’s a way of life.” The Reading Program at MJP Kothavalasa is proof that small, thoughtful actions can lead to big changes. Together, they’re not just turning pages—they’re rewriting the narrative of education in their community.
Contributors:
Pranathi & Anuvab, STEP Andhra Pradesh and Deepa, R&D