Sanjeevini Readers Club: An update

Introduction:
Yadgir district was carved out from the undivided Gulbarga district in December 2009. Yadgir is one of the most backward districts in the state vis-à-vis all development indicators. The rate of literacy in the district is 37.56 percent, as compared to the national average of 65 percent. The region experiences large scale seasonal migration for employment opportunities and livelihood, which is one of the key factors contributing to high level school dropouts and poor functioning of many government institutions. School enrollment and retention rates, grade specific learning achievements among children, community participation and difficult access to quality human resources are key issues in the district

Kalike has been working since January 2009 in Yadgir district for achieving quality education in the district with various interventions. At present its coverage is 159 government schools, 39 high schools and 33 Anganawadi centres of Yadgir block.

The present key interventions within Kalike are Learning Improvement Programme, School Health and Sanitation, Early Childhood Care and Education, Strengthening Community Participation, Proficiency in English, ICT Intervention and Establishing and Nurturing Educational Resource Centres. In the year 2011, the Kalike team felt the need to start readers clubs in selected schools and Anaganawadis. The purpose was to promote and develop reading habits among teachers and children. KSU team had a discussion with Amrita Patwardhan and Shivakumar of SRTT, and shared a plan of establishing readers' clubs. And the plan was shared with Manas Ranjan Mahapatra, chief editor, NCCL-NBT. On Dec 10, 2011, Kalike-Yadgir with support of Education Department, Yadgir, NCCL-NBT, New Delhi and Sir Ratan Tata Trust established 83 Readers' clubs in Yadgir block (50 in government higher primary schools and 33 in ICDS Anganawadi centres).

Sanjeevini Readers Club inauguration programme, workshop and book fair:

Kalike organised Sanjeevini Readers Club inauguration programme and workshop for government teachers and KSU team. The workshop covered topics on story telling methods, need and importance of readers clubs, how to start clubs, etc. Also, a book fair was organised for two days, Dec 10 and 11, 2011. At the book fair, there were many publishers and book sellers involved like Nava Karnataka, NBT, Sapna, Pratham Publications, etc. The book fair had various types of books the students and people from different age groups could be interested in, which covered various topics such as teaching skills, economic subject, science related, English grammar, etc.

A large number of people visited the book fair and purchased different books. The fair helped many book lovers buy different books and it also created awareness about reading books among many people.

Inauguration of readers club workshop and book fair:
On the occasion, TG Syed, principal and deputy director, development, DIET, HB Rathod, block resource coordinator, EDU department, Yadgir, Manas Ranjan Mahapatra, chief editor NCCL-NBT, Ramesh P Bharaskale, deputy director, women and child welfare department, Yadgir, Yankappa Doddamani, teachers union president, Yadgir, Amrita Patvardhana, development manager, and Shivakumar, senior development officer of Sir Ratan Tata Trust, witnessed the occasion.

Implementation of readers' club activities in schools:

	Distribution of books - On the day of workshop itself, books were distributed to all schools from Navakarnataka, Ekalavya, NBT, Pratham and Sapna Publications.
	Discussions took place with HMs and teachers to plan for ensuring club activities in schools. In many schools, the books provided were kept in a cupboard and locked, without being used. The KSU team had a discussion with HMs and motivated them to keep it open and provide platform for reading activities in schools.
	Mobile lab: Classes were carried out by coordinators using laptops to narrate various stories, rhymes, pictures, maps etc.. The children enjoyed it. This activity was conducted in 33 schools.
	As part of Learning Improvement Programme, KSU started book corners and provided an opportunity to children to read variety of stories, songs, etc.
	Workshop on language, story and art: Two coordinators from KSU (Ramesh and Vishwanath) and two teachers (Devamma and Yankamma) attended workshop on language, story and art in Goa, organised by Bookworm, in collaboration with Sir Ratan Tata Trust. After the workshop, the learnings of the workshop were shared with other KSU team members and teachers. Learnings of the workshop have been implemented in class room processes, children's summer camps and in readers' club activities, like painting, story telling, writing, etc.
	Consultation meeting with head teachers: KSU organised a one day consultation meeting with head teachers of 50 schools on June 20, 2012 in Yadgir. The occasion presented the opportunity to review the status of readers club activities and plan for the year 2012-13. Schools were listed out based on issues and activities, and shared with teachers. It was decided in the meeting to use available SUPW periods for readers club activities. The teachers were requested to ensure proper maintenance and documentation of readers club activities.
	Distribution of books to 33 Anganawadi centres: KSU distributed various picture cards, story books to 33 Anaganawadi centers and started activities as part of the readers club. Three to six year old children enjoyed these activities. The children kept their paintings, drawings and writing works in their individual paper bags.

Readers' club activities in Anganawadi centres

	Books displayed in ICDS centres

Feedbacks:
"It is need of the hour to get the maximum benefit of the readers clubs established in different schools. I requested the teachers of different schools to merge the readers clubs with readers corners, which is another program by the government, in different schools. I thank and appreciate Sir Ratan Tata Trust and NBT for taking this wonderful initiative of establishing readers clubs in different schools." - Mrs Syed, principal, DIET Yadgir.

"Books provided by Kalike for developing readers club activities in our school are very useful. My students and teachers are taking lots of interest in it and using it. I am impressed by the reading books related to environment, health and hygiene. I appreciate the work of Kalike and NCCL-NBT for its great work in promoting reading and writing habits among children especially in rural areas." – Mrs Premalata, head mistress, GHPS Kanchagarahalli, Yaragola cluster, Yadgir block and district.

"Before December 2011, I was completely unaware of a library existing in our school, and I was irregular to school more involved in agricultural activities with my father. In December 2012, I attended readers club's inaugural function in my school. I started visiting this club and spent more time in reading variety of books. I love to read stories, stories of freedom fighters and English grammar. I have written few of my own stories by referring some story books from the readers club. Now I am regular to school. I am thankful to school and KSU for providing such a good opportunity to me." – Bharathi R, 7th standard, GHPS Venkateshanagar Thanda, Yaragola cluster, Yadgir block.

"Readers club activities are very useful to my students. My students have started using readers club books. They are showing increased interest and enjoy the learning with stories in the classroom." - Nagaraj Sheelavanth, asst teacher, GHPS Katagi Shahapur, Hattikunai cluster, Yadgir block.

"Really, the Sanjeevini readers club is a wonderful programme. It's very essential to all of us and our children in school. I have learned a lot from this. In our school we have received lot of books. I'm really glad to use these books in my classrooms." - Kavita S N, asst teacher, GHPS Ramasamudra, Yadgir block.
"Because of readers club activities, my students are showing a lot of interest in schooling. It's been so effective to our students. The books provided by Kalike and NCCL-NBT are absolutely good"- Ms Babyjan, asst teacher, GHPS Thanagundi, Yadgir block

Conclusion:
Where there is will there is a way. Motivated teachers and animators have taken time out for the club and promote it. Whatever books the children read will help them in understanding their curriculum. Reading can enhance their general knowledge and language faculties. Particular times have been fixed for readers club according to circumstances. For this, at present one period a week is fixed up and will be extended in future. Children and teachers have started appreciating the value of books after reading them. They read and love for books. Kalike thanks NCCL-NBT, SRTT and NRTT for this wonderful opportunity.