Nanded Village School Nurtures Reading Habit With Tree Library

In Nanded, a village school in Maharashtra, students have found a new way to cultivate their reading habits – under the shade of trees. The Zilla Parishad Central Primary School in Martala, Loha tehsil, has introduced a ‘Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Tree Library’ in March 2023. The initiative aims to instill a love for reading and the environment among students, encouraging them to explore books beyond their textbooks.

The library’s significance grows ahead of Reading Inspiration Day, celebrated annually on October 15, commemorating the birthday of former President of India and celebrated scientist Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. Students at the school dedicate an hour every Saturday to reading, engaging with stories, biographies, and inspirational books in a tranquil, natural setting. This effort helps students develop language skills, expand their vocabulary, enhance imagination, and strengthen critical thinking abilities.

Headmaster Ravi Dhage emphasizes the library’s goal to nurture students who read, think critically, and contribute to a society enriched by knowledge. Instead of a traditional library building, the Martala school has converted the shaded area into an open-air learning space, merging education and environmental awareness.

Class VII student Akanksha Shahuje Yede expressed her newfound enthusiasm for reading and the library's role in inspiring her to learn something new daily. Through this initiative, the school demonstrates how simple, creative measures can foster a reading culture among children while teaching them to appreciate and safeguard nature.