Page turners in the making: Himachal Edu Dept partners with Room to Read

In a significant move to improve the quality of education in government schools, the Himachal Pradesh Education Department has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Room to Read India Trust. The MoU was formally signed in Shimla on Friday by Rajesh Sharma, Project Director of Samagra Shiksha, and Poonam Garg, Director of Room to Read.

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The partnership aims to foster collaboration and provide technical support to strengthen school libraries and promote a culture of reading among students, particularly in the early years of schooling.

Under the agreement, Room to Read will assist in enhancing library facilities in government schools, while also co-creating reading materials in local languages tailored for foundational classes. The initiative is expected to not only encourage reading habits among children but also to raise overall educational standards across the state.

“This collaboration will go a long way in developing reading skills and improving learning outcomes, especially in the early grades,” said Rajesh Sharma, suggesting that the initiative should be launched on a pilot basis in select districts. Based on its effectiveness, the project could later be expanded to cover the entire state.

The MoU is valid for a period of three years, with provisions for review and possible extension depending on the success of the initial implementation. Education officials expressed optimism that this initiative will serve as a transformative step in foundational literacy, ensuring that students not only have access to books but also develop a lifelong love for reading.