Efforts to strengthen reading habits among young students in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands received a boost on Tuesday with the inauguration of the fifth Tent Library at Government Primary School, Haddo.
The initiative has been launched by the State Library under the Directorate of Education as part of a broader effort to cultivate a reading culture among children at the primary level. Officials said the concept of Tent Libraries has been introduced to create a more engaging and accessible reading environment for students.
The newly inaugurated facility provides children with access to a range of storybooks and other child-friendly reading materials. These resources have been arranged in an open and inviting space designed to encourage students to explore books and develop a habit of reading beyond classroom textbooks.
Education officials said the initiative is aimed at making reading both enjoyable and accessible for young learners. By introducing children to books in an informal and welcoming setting, the programme seeks to foster curiosity, imagination and a lifelong interest in reading.
The Tent Library was formally inaugurated at the school campus in the presence of teachers, students, librarians and officials from the Education Department. The event marked the expansion of the Tent Library initiative, which has gradually been introduced in different schools across the islands.
During the inauguration programme, the chief guest, Vice Principal of Government Senior Secondary School (Telugu), R. Sethukkarai, interacted with students and spoke about the value of reading in personal development and education. Students were encouraged to cultivate regular reading habits as a means to expand knowledge and develop critical thinking skills.
Officials present at the event said that early exposure to books can play a significant role in shaping a child’s learning journey. Access to diverse reading materials, especially storybooks and illustrated texts, helps students develop language skills while also stimulating creativity and imagination.
The Tent Library model has been introduced as a flexible reading space where children can interact with books in a relaxed setting. Unlike conventional libraries that are often limited to enclosed rooms, the Tent Library format creates a more informal atmosphere where students feel comfortable spending time reading.
Education authorities believe such initiatives can complement classroom teaching by allowing children to explore topics and stories independently. Reading activities in these spaces can also support improvements in vocabulary, comprehension and communication skills.
The programme aligns with broader educational goals aimed at strengthening foundational learning in early grades. Encouraging reading habits during primary school years is considered an important step in building strong academic foundations for students.
Officials from the Directorate of Education indicated that the Tent Library initiative is part of a continuing effort to improve learning resources in government schools. By expanding access to reading materials, the department hopes to nurture a culture where students see books not only as academic tools but also as sources of enjoyment and discovery.
Teachers present during the inauguration noted that initiatives promoting reading outside formal classroom instruction can help students become more confident learners. Exposure to stories, narratives and diverse themes allows children to develop empathy, imagination and analytical thinking.
Students attending the programme also explored the collection of books available in the Tent Library. The arrangement of colourful storybooks and accessible reading materials created an inviting environment where children could browse through titles and select books that interested them.
Officials said the initiative will continue to expand in other schools across the islands as part of the Directorate of Education’s efforts to encourage reading habits among young learners. With each new Tent Library, the administration aims to create spaces where children can interact with books freely and develop an enduring connection with reading.
The opening of the fifth Tent Library at Haddo Primary School marks another step in the effort to strengthen early learning environments in the islands while promoting a culture of reading among students at the foundational stage of education.
