From Screens to Scriptures of the World: Uttar Pradesh Bets on Newspapers to Rebuild a Thinking, Aware Generation
In a move that many parents long wished for but struggled to achieve at home, the Government of Uttar Pradesh has stepped in decisively to reshape the intellectual habits of students by mandating daily newspaper reading in all basic and secondary schools across the state.
Under a government order issued on December 23, every school has been instructed to introduce a dedicated 10-minute “news reading” segment during the morning assembly, making the reading of newspapers a compulsory part of students’ daily routine.
To support this, schools and libraries have been directed to keep reputable and quality newspapers in both Hindi and English, ensuring they are easily accessible to all students.
The initiative is aimed squarely at promoting a strong reading culture and curbing excessive screen time, a growing concern in an age where scrolling mobile phones has replaced meaningful engagement with books and ideas.
Beyond textbooks and rote learning
The latest directive builds upon an earlier order issued on November 7, which underlined the importance of reading in developing intellectual and logical abilities.
The government has now gone a step further, stating that newspapers, along with books, must become a compulsory component of daily reading in schools.
According to the order, reading newspapers significantly enhances general knowledge, keeps students updated on current affairs, and prepares them better for competitive examinations.
It also strengthens vocabulary, language proficiency and writing skills, especially through regular exposure to editorials and analytical articles.
More importantly, the government observed that newspapers expose students to diverse viewpoints, helping them develop critical thinking, the ability to distinguish right from wrong, and a sharper awareness in an era dominated by misinformation and fake news.
A healthier alternative to digital addiction
Unlike digital screens that fragment attention and shorten patience, reading a physical newspaper improves focus, concentration and perseverance, the order noted.
Newspapers also help students stay connected with their local community, public projects and social developments, while enabling them to understand how local events link to national and global issues.
Human-interest stories and reports on social challenges foster empathy, allowing students to understand the struggles and experiences of others—an essential step towards becoming responsible, sensitive citizens.
Even the lighter sections of newspapers have their role. Sudoku, crosswords and word puzzles, the government said, are not mere entertainment but powerful tools to develop logical reasoning and problem-solving skills.
Structured activities to build habits
During the daily news-reading slot in the morning assembly, students will, on a rotational basis, read aloud important excerpts from editorials and positive news from national, international and sports sections.
Each day, five new or challenging words from the newspaper will be selected, explained, and displayed on the school blackboard alongside the “Thought of the Day, allowing students to internalise them naturally through repetition.
To nurture creativity and teamwork, schools have been encouraged to publish a monthly or quarterly school newspaper or magazine, conceptualised, edited and managed by students themselves, showcasing school activities and achievements in a professional news format.
Tailored approach for different age groups
Students of Classes 9 to 12 will be encouraged to write their own views on major editorial issues or participate in weekly group discussions, sharpening articulation and analytical skills.
Meanwhile, students of Classes 6 to 8 will be motivated to cut out interesting news items—on science, environment or sports—and compile them into scrapbooks, promoting curiosity-driven learning.
One day each week, classrooms may host Sudoku, crossword or knowledge quiz competitions based on newspaper content, engagingly strengthening logical thinking
Libraries, books and the ‘No Bouquet, Only Book’ idea
Reiterating its earlier vision, the government has directed that students from all schools be allowed access to government district libraries.
Each student should be issued at least one out-of-syllabus book every week—stories, novels, biographies or inspirational literature—and encouraged to present summaries during assemblies to improve communication skills.
Exposure visits to libraries, theme-based reading activities on the Constitution, environment, art and culture, and creative storytelling through puppets and role-play have also been recommended.
In a symbolic yet powerful gesture, the government has proposed the “No Bouquet, Only Book” campaign, replacing trophies and mementoes with books at school and library events—sending a clear message that knowledge is the highest reward.
A long-term investment in youth
What many parents could not achieve despite their best efforts—pulling children away from addictive screen habits—the state has now attempted at scale.
If implemented sincerely, educators believe this initiative could transform the personality, body language, thought process and behaviour of the youth, both at home and in society.
Today, a large section of young people remains confined to rote learning, devoid of broader worldly knowledge.
An old saying holds: “Reading maketh a man.” The more one reads, the wider the imagination grows, creativity flourishes, and a sense of inner satisfaction develops.
In contrast, mindless scrolling acts like slow poison—consuming time, dulling thought, and offering little nourishment to the mind. While a small minority uses mobile phones to stay informed, the majority remains trapped in trivial and unproductive content.
By placing newspapers back into young hands—and ideas back into young minds—Uttar Pradesh is attempting nothing less than a quiet cultural reset, one headline, one word, and one thoughtful student at a time.
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