UP Government Mandates Daily Newspaper Reading in Schools to Strengthen Reading Culture

In a significant step towards strengthening foundational literacy and critical thinking, the Uttar Pradesh government has issued fresh guidelines directing all secondary and basic primary schools across the state to make newspaper reading a mandatory daily activity for students. The initiative is aimed at nurturing a strong reading culture, enhancing general awareness, and reducing excessive screen time among school-going children.

The directive was issued by Parth Sarathi Sen Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary (Secondary and Basic Primary Education), and has been circulated to all divisional education officials, district inspectors of schools, and basic education officers with strict instructions for full implementation.

Key Highlights of the UP Government Order

As per the official order dated December 23, schools are required to:

• Ensure availability of both Hindi and English newspapers in school libraries
• Allocate at least 10 minutes daily during morning assembly exclusively for newspaper reading
• Encourage students to read editorials and major news related to national, international, and sports events on a rotational basis

This structured approach is intended to help students develop reading habits while staying informed about current affairs.

Introduction of ‘Word of the Day’ Activity

To further enhance language skills, the order introduces a “Word of the Day” exercise. Under this activity:

• Five difficult or new words from newspapers will be selected daily
• These words will be displayed on the school notice board
• Teachers will help students understand meanings, usage, and context

The initiative is expected to significantly improve vocabulary, comprehension, and language confidence, especially among students from rural and semi-urban backgrounds.

Educational Benefits Expected

According to the education department, the newspaper reading initiative will help students:

• Improve general knowledge and awareness
• Develop critical thinking and analytical skills
• Enhance concentration and reading comprehension
• Become more socially aware and informed citizens
• Prepare better for competitive examinations
• Learn to identify and resist fake news and misinformation

The government believes that early exposure to authentic news sources will help students become responsible digital and media consumers.

Additional Activities Encouraged in Schools

Beyond newspaper reading, the order encourages schools to engage students in creative and participatory activities, including:

• Publishing school newspapers or magazines
• Conducting editorial-based writing tasks and group discussions for Classes 9 to 12
• Organising crossword and Sudoku competitions
• Promoting scrapbook-making using news cuttings among junior classes

These activities aim to make learning more interactive, enjoyable, and student-centric.

Continuation of UP’s Broader Reading Campaign

The December 23 order builds upon an earlier directive issued on November 2, under which the Uttar Pradesh government launched a statewide reading campaign. Key initiatives under that campaign included:

• Allowing students access to government district libraries
• Making it mandatory for students to issue at least one non-syllabus book every week
• Introducing appreciation certificates and incentives for avid readers
• Launching the “No Bouquet, Only Book” campaign, where books replace trophies at school events

These measures were designed to curb excessive use of mobile phones and social media and promote meaningful reading habits.

Implementation and Monitoring

Both orders have been formally communicated to:

• Divisional Education Officials
• District Inspectors of Schools
• Basic Education Officers

Senior officials have stated that strict compliance will be monitored to ensure uniform implementation across government, aided, and recognised schools in Uttar Pradesh.

Quick Reference Summary

The UP government’s decision to mandate daily newspaper reading in schools marks a progressive shift towards holistic education. By combining reading habits with creative engagement and critical thinking, the initiative seeks to prepare students not just academically, but also as aware, informed, and responsible citizens. Students, parents, and educators are encouraged to support this reform and stay updated through official education department communications. Bookmark this page and follow official UP government channels for further updates.