Fathima Husna, a Class I student of GHS Kurumbala, Wayanad, is among the Class I and II students across the State who have received storybooks for reading this summer vacation. They are expected to read at least eight books during the two months. If there were concerns that it was an onerous task for six-and-seven-year-old children, the feedback has been that many have exceeded the allotted target for April already.
The summer reading programme ‘Malayala Madhuram’ has been rolled out by the Samagra Shiksha, Kerala (SSK) under the World Bank-aided STARS (Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States) project to build upon the gains made in language by the Class I and II students through various programmes in previous academic year.
The SSK had implemented Sachithra (illustrated notebook), Samyuktha diary, and Rachanotsavam in schools in the wake of widespread concerns over students’ command of Malayalam language. Once students started reading, they moved on to writing small stories. These were published as books and in periodicals.
