Nowadays students of SVNSS U.P. School, Attuvassery, do not go to the playground during intervals and free time. Instead, they line up before the wooden chest in the compound, their Aksharappura that stores over 100 books, comics and periodicals.
A joint initiative of the school and nearby A.P. Ramakrishnan Public Library, this miniature repository has struck a chord with the children.
Direct access
“The idea is to give them direct access to books without any formalities. The school has a library, but many books there are not fit for children. Here we keep a hand-picked assortment that includes all their favourites like Balarama and Balabhumi . We change the books and replenish the stock regularly. The number of students taking books from Aksharappura is going up every day and most of them now prefer this facility to the school library,” says Thulaseedharan, teacher.
The school has over 200 students from LKG to Class 7, who all rush to Aksharappura at least once a day.
“We have books suitable for all ages. To make them good readers you have to introduce the right books at the right age,” he says.
A Class 7 student is in charge of keeping the register and ensuring that the books are returned.
“When we leave everything to them, the students become more responsible.”
Even parents who visit the school stop by and browse through the books, often picking something for them.
“From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the Aksharappura will be open. Students, parents and even the public can borrow books from the chest. It has been hardly a month and we have received a number of requests for books from the parents as well,” he adds.
