Rajasthan Mandates Newspaper Reading in Schools

“We don’t get the main newspaper. The students’ edition is very well designed for children. Frankly speaking, I don’t know.”

“This is all to promote current affairs and general knowledge. In my school, current affairs are taken very seriously.”

“During the zero period, the teacher discusses things with children related to the newspaper. It’s not only for knowledge or to encourage reading, but also to help children connect concepts. It’s the cheapest resource, not only for the teacher but also for the child. I wouldn’t say it’s mandatory, it’s a habit we’ve inculcated. But when it comes to screen time, we have not held any survey particularly to see if there has been a reduction. All I can say is I’ve noticed children turning to more books in their free period as compared to before we started the newspaper reading exercise.”

“There isn’t any such regulation. But libraries do have newspapers and children are encouraged to read them. It’s not made mandatory or a habit in our school.”

“Earlier, government schools used to subscribe to newspapers. That practice stopped when funding dried up. Reading newspapers will definitely reduce the impact of screen time. It has not been made mandatory by the state, but we encourage it. It’s a very powerful instrument.”

“Reading newspapers every day is not a bad thing at all. But the claim that it will automatically reduce screen time is a tall order. There is no research in our context or otherwise that shows reading a physical newspaper reduces addiction to screens. Newspapers and other media have largely been captured by the state. A more meaningful intervention would be to shift children from consumers of news to producers. This helps children learn to distinguish fact from opinion and propaganda.”

“While newspaper reading should be encouraged in schools, it cannot be projected as a cure for children’s screen dependence. A child can always come back home and turn to a screen to access more information. Reading from print allows for deeper engagement than reading from a device. A physical newspaper requires children to slow down and read patiently, which often helps them grasp content better than scrolling through information on a screen. Since the 1970s, the NCERT has been suggesting that schools keep two copies of newspapers for a set of students in each classroom to cultivate the reading habit.”

“Evidence linking newspaper reading to reduced screen time is minimal. Children will read what interests them. A Class 12 student, an eighth grader, and a fourth grader approach newspapers very differently. Few young children are drawn to political news in the first place.”

“Structured reading routines in schools can play a meaningful role in reducing children’s overall screen time, particularly outside school hours. When reading is built into the school day, it acts as a healthy habit replacement, occupying time that might otherwise be spent on screens. Reading demands sustained attention and cognitive engagement, which strengthens attention span and makes passive screen consumption less appealing. Over time, this also supports better self-regulation — children who develop stronger executive functioning are more capable of setting limits on their own screen use. School-based reading routines often spill over into home environments, encouraging families to reinforce reading after school and, thereby, reducing unstructured screen time. Replacing screens with reading, especially in the evening, can also improve sleep patterns and reduce late-night screen dependence.”

“When you introduce structured activities like reading, you are automatically reducing the time available for screens — it’s simple logic. Reading, especially from a physical book or newspaper, is far less stimulating than digital media. It reduces distractions, improves attention and focus, and trains the brain to engage with neutral, low-stimulus content. This is important because many children today struggle with focus because they are constantly exposed to high levels of stimulation on screens.”