Staff at Highland Post were gratified to learn today that a school in Ri-Bhoi, the PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya Umroi Cantonment, is using this newspaper as a tool to encourage reading among its students.
Students actively read and interacted with Highland Post, a press release informed, during their library periods. “The activity aimed to inculcate the habit of reading newspapers regularly and build awareness about current affairs, especially those concerning the North Eastern region,” it added.
With a view to promoting news literacy and critical thinking among students, the school library initiated a structured newspaper reading activity using HP to develop a habit of newspaper reading among students; to improve comprehension and vocabulary through real-world reading materials; to increase awareness of current events and regional developments; and to provide a platform for students to discuss, reflect and express their views on issues affecting society.
Students from Classes 6 to 12 were given guided reading sessions where they read articles of their choice and were encouraged to understand the headline, key facts, and context. Select students orally presented a summary of a news article, followed by a brief opinion or reflection on the issue. Students also identified new words, wrote their meanings and used them in sentences to improve language skills.
Students in Classes 9 to 12 wrote short reflections after reading the editorial section, thereby enhancing their analytical thinking. A weekly quiz based on the major news stories published in the paper also helped reinforce their retention and comprehension.
The school reported that students showed increased interest in news and current affairs; reading fluency and summarisation skills improved noticeably; enhanced vocabulary and better understanding of regional issues were observed; and students began engaging in informed conversations both in class and during school assemblies.
Teachers also noticed improved communication and awareness levels in classrooms and parents reportedly appreciated the initiative, citing increased interest in reading at home.
