BENGALURU: With unchecked use of gadgets leading to a significant decline in reading and learning abilities, Karnataka govt has announced a statewide campaign — Mobile Bidi Pustaka Hidi (drop mobile, take up books) — to encourage reading habit among 50-lakh students in govt schools and curb excessive mobile phone usage.In a recent circular, the department of state education, research and training — which will oversee programme implementation — has said the key objective is to systematically cultivate a love of reading among students and shape them into responsible citizens with “active, thoughtful, and high-thinking abilities”.The department has urged schools to create awareness about the safe and moderate use of phones & social media through co-curricular activities .Students should be encouraged to simultaneously take up indoor and outdoor sports, painting, singing, story and poetry writing, and embroidery.Teachers should take steps to encourage use of library and good books. Children should be introduced to use of maps, dictionaries, encyclopaedias, and other reference books available in school. Activities such as introducing the book read, storytelling competitions and review writing should be organised.In collaboration with the health department, schools must educate students on likely mental health problems and effects on academic performance. The women and child welfare department must create awareness among mothers and the community through anganwadi workers.The department can invite gram panchayat members, who can encourage children to visit the library more often. Police officials from cybercrime can raise awareness about issues like cyberbullying.
