About the Programme
The Aafir School Library Programme grew out of Unnati’s work on foundational literacy through multilingual education. Our classroom experience showed that children need regular access to a variety of books and opportunities to read beyond their textbooks in order to develop as confident and independent readers.
Aafir, meaning “to fly” in Korku, reflects our vision of enabling children to discover new ideas, perspectives and possibilities through books.
The programme currently works with four tribal Ashram schools in Maharashtra, creating active reading spaces where children can choose books, read at their own pace, discuss what they read and engage with books through a range of activities.
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Aim
To develop independent reading habits and language skills among children, while opening up access to books, ideas, perspectives and experiences beyond their immediate world. The programme encourages children to read with confidence, engage with diverse genres and written language, and experience books as a source of knowledge, imagination, creativity and enjoyment.
Our Approach
We see a school library not simply as a collection of books, but as an active learning space. Throughout the year, we conduct regular library sessions in classrooms across four Ashram schools, combining reading with activities such as read-alouds, book discussions, storytelling, vocabulary and language games, and creative responses to books. Children are encouraged to browse and choose books according to their interests and reading abilities, borrow them regularly, and read independently. A special focus is placed on using the library to strengthen literacy among Grade 5 students, helping them become confident and independent readers.
Key Activities
- Regular book borrowing and lending for students of Grades 5–7
- Library sessions that encourage reading, discussion and interaction with books
- Activities that strengthen vocabulary, comprehension and written language
- Creative activities such as art and craft inspired by books
Our Story of Change
The library is helping children move from reading because they have to, to reading because they want to.
Through regular access to a variety of books and opportunities to choose what they want to read, children are gradually developing greater familiarity and confidence with books. The library creates space for children to read beyond the prescribed textbook and encounter new ideas, experiences, people and perspectives.
Reading also becomes a social experience. Children talk about books, share what they have discovered and participate in activities that help them connect reading with language, creativity and their own experiences.
What We Are Building
Our larger vision is to enable more children in tribal communities to become confident, independent and lifelong readers. Hence, we are building a replicable model of school libraries for tribal schools, one that can be adapted and implemented across more Ashram schools and other schools in tribal areas.