School children to get 'grace marks' for reading in Kerala

Children in state-run schools in Kerala will soon receive ‘grace marks’ for cultivating reading habits, starting from the next academic year, State General Education Minister V Sivankutty said on Wednesday.

A dedicated period will be set aside for reading books, newspapers and related activities, the minister said in a Facebook post.

“Grace marks will be awarded from the next academic year to children who engage in activities that promote reading habits,” Sivankutty added.

For students in classes I-IV, weekly sessions will focus on appropriate reading activities, while students in classes V-XII will have similar sessions linked to newspaper reading and other follow-up exercises, he stated.

Teachers will receive training and a handbook will be prepared to guide reading-related activities.

The Education Department is also considering including a reading-focused segment in “Kalolsavam,” the annual school arts festival, the minister said.