INTERVIEW DR. S NALAYANI, PRINCIPAL KANJIKODE - Reading Revolution Project

Good Morning, Madam,

Principal: Good Morning

Navya: I am Navya

Shweta: I am Shweta

Navya: We would like to interview, Madam, on behalf of the Readers Club members

Principal: Okay, Fine!

Shweta: First question. Madam, after you took charge as a Principal of this school, a lot of positive changes have come to the library and there is a clamour for books among the students. What magic spell did you use in order to bring about the change?

Madam:  There is nothing like a magic. It was all due to the interest shown by Mr. Mujib Rahimam, our Librarian. So, he gave me all the tips what all to be done, I co-operated with him. I only supported our librarian and encouraged the students indirectly.

Navya: Usually people with a scientific bent of mind do not read novels and literary books. Does the same formula apply to you too?

Madam:  Ah! Same. It is really true. As you say we all are Science students -not much of interest shown in literary books. We all go for science-related magazines and books for reference. That way only I have read. After coming here Mujib sir used to give me some books telling that madam this is useful. It is not subject-oriented. Like, he gave me lots of books for my in-service course like how to motivate parents, what kind of things the teachers have to do in their class to bring the students to their control - all such fantastic books he gave me which were really useful.

Navya: Madam, do you read novels?

              

Madam: That's what I am telling you. Because of our librarian only I started reading such books.

Shweta: That mean you haven't read novels?

Madam: Very true. Very true. Novels and all I never used to read.

Navya: Even if you get that.. will you read?

Shweta: In between your busy schedule, do you really get time to read books?

Madam: Nothing like busy schedule. I read books if I get time.

Shweta: You have worked in many KVs. How would you rate our library and our librarian?

Madam: The best. Excellent. Any exemplary words you use it. I have never had such a good rapport with a librarian before. Libraries may be good in all the KVs, but librarian is important.

Shweta: Madam, what about the collections in our library?

Madam: Good. First thing I have noticed is that he has taken an interest to get books as per the students' suggestions. So definitely every child will be keen to take some books from the library. It is not his suggestion, it's all children and teachers. That way it is good.

Shweta: Madam, you have been working in KVS for many years. So you must have come across many children. What do you think, Has the reading habit decreased or increased?

Madam: Our school, in this particular year 2012-13 there have been a lot of improvements I could see.  Because I see the students always with a library card.

Navya: Is it because of the competitions?

Madam: Ha. That's the way he always announces competitions and gets the children to the library. I always see the students with library card. Either they are returning books or taking new ones. Definitely, books are taken by all of them. If they take at least something they will read, if not the whole book.

Shweta: But generally...?

Madam: Generally it is not there. In other schools, I have not seen this much.

Navya: What do you it has improved from the earlier?

Madam: Ya. Much better, improved. Even compared to last year I could see the improvement.

Shweta: That all because of our librarian sir?

Madam: Yes. Lot of changes he brings, you know. It is not just sitting and giving, issuing. That is not the way he does things.

Navya: Automation and all...

Shweta: Madam, what impact did KVS Library Policy have on the library services and the students' reading habits?

Principal: Good. Automation of the library is useful. Sir is able to do his job quickly. There is the book ratio to be followed. More importance on Hindi books. And the fine collection...you know...

Navya: Library points ... madam

Madam: Yes. Library Points...that way he discourages students that you should not pay fine. That is a sort of discouragement, not encouragement to pay a fine.

(Note: We have a system of library points introduced in our library where students get points for whatever library and reading-related activities they are involved. Similarly, negative points are given for returning books after the due date. This has ensured that students return the books on time and no need for collecting library fines)

Shweta: But the students are not at all reading Hindi books...

Madam: Yes. They are not at all reading. Now the next year Sir's project is motivating them to read Hindi books. That's what he told me. Reading Hindi books is very poor, you all would have noticed?

Shweta: Yes madam

Madam: So we will make sir to take it as the next assignment.

Shweta: What do you think, we can enhance the reading habits of children?

Madam: Don't you think what sir does is tremendous.

Shweta: More than that, madam

Navya: If you were the librarian, what would you do?

Madam: (Laughs). Probably I am not fit for that. May be.. what to say. I mean sir also trying that mass reading and all is really useful. But somehow last year once or twice we did it, is it not? And may be I will be more strict than Mr.Mujib to make them read.

Navya: Will you force them to read?

Madam: No. I will ask them at the end of the period what books you all have read, whether it is useful to others...whether really they did some useful reading. That way I will also know what kind of books you people have taken. I don't know what Mujib sir is doing.

Navya: Yes. Sir is very particular about all children coming together into the library during library period.

Shweta: And he concentrates on book reviews written by the children.

What are your views on the CBSE Reading Project recently introduced?

Madam: Yes. What started in 9th standard, eh? It is very useful. Reading and communication skills are all improving. Your English teachers have already started...as long as these English teachers are there you will all become good at English.

Navya: Madam and there is a general discussion among children that because of CCE, they lack time for reading. So what can we do to enhance our reading and better time management?

Madam: I don't think so. Even if you do a project and group discussion, you read and go ahead with it. How do say you don't have time.

Navya: We mean to read novels etc. madam

Shweta: Ah. Even our parents do not allow to read novels because exams are going to come...what do you think?

Madam: See, if you are reading a good novel and it is entertaining, why don't we put it as one of the criteria for your English language activities. Hmm...how to create extra time, is it not? That is in our hands only. You should allocate some time, every day I will read novels in that particular time.

Navya: What do you think about the reading projects madam..extra competitions

Shweta: Like the storyboard competition by the Hindu...

Madam: Storyboard?

Navya: The extra competitions are based on reading, what do you think?

Madam: Storyboard, the participation in that paper's..all that your teachers have to encourage you, isn't it? Only with teacher's encouragement

Navya: Other than the Librarian do you think teachers also should motivate students?

Madam: Of course. Teachers have a role to play, especially the language teachers. Teachers play a vital role, whether it is in English or Hindi.

Shweta: Madam, one more thing. Which is your favourite book?

Madam: I like reading education-related books. I like that.

Shweta: No favourite magazine or books madam?

Madam: Magaize? Now Infinithoughts. That is a really inspiring one.

Navya: Whenever you come to our class you start with some proverbs or thoughts. Where do you get it from?

Madam: That's what I said. Infinithoughts. See how I am reading this Competition Refresher. It is all current events. You please go through it. PSA and Maths it will be helpful, yesterday this work only I was doing. It is fantastic. I have forgotten so many formulae and all. I found it interesting.
And here and there some Tamil magazines I read.

Navya: Tamil Magazines mean...?

Madam: Yes. Old stories I used to read like Mahabharata

Shweta: Like the ancient books...related to Gods..

 Madam: Yes. Usually Tamil only I will read. Those stories if you read in your mother toungue only ou you can enjoy. English is a foreign language and we may not be knowing many words and you may lose interest.

Navya: But the new generation like only English books, they don't like their mother tongue.

Madam: That kind of books I prefer to read only in Tamil. See slokas, even though I learned Sanskrit I don't know the meaning. When I go to Tamil slokas I enjoy it as I can understand it and it registers very fast. Sanskrit we have not learned. I learned it on my own.

Shweta: Thank you for your valuable time, Madam. We enjoyed a lot talking to you.

Navya: Thank you, madam