Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Basic Education Department is set to introduce the ‘DEAR’ (Drop Everything And Read) campaign across council-run schools to cultivate a strong reading culture among students and improve foundational learning outcomes.
Under the initiative, teachers and students will pause all other classroom activities at a designated time and devote a fixed period exclusively to reading books. The campaign aims to encourage regular reading habits, strengthen language proficiency and enhance students’ overall learning abilities.
According to the Education Department, the programme will help create a positive reading environment in schools while motivating children to develop a lifelong interest in books. Teachers will be encouraged to guide students towards reading material that matches their age and interests, making reading both enjoyable and meaningful.
Education experts believe that consistent reading improves vocabulary, comprehension, imagination and self-confidence, while also supporting better academic performance. The initiative is expected to play an important role in enhancing the quality of foundational education in the state.
The department is currently preparing to roll out the DEAR campaign in a phased manner across Uttar Pradesh’s council schools, with the objective of making reading an integral part of every school day.
