Free Textbooks and Notebooks for Students from LKG to Class 12 from Next Academic Year: Madhu Bangarappa

To help public education become stronger and to lessen the burden of education expenses on the families, the Karnataka Minister for School Education Madhu Bangarappa announced on Monday that the students from LKG to Class 12 will be given free textbooks and notebooks starting from the next academic year.

Speaking to the media, Bangarappa said that the decision has been taken to provide quality education to all without discrimination and starvation. "Parents should not put a burden on their minds on education. We are giving free textbooks and notebooks in all the classes so that no child will be without the necessary learning materials when the new academic year starts, " he added.

Besides, the minister talked about the state's ambitious plan of upgrading school infrastructure through the Karnataka Public Schools (KPS) project. He said that originally the government had approved setting up of only 500 Karnataka Public Schools, but now the figure has gone up to 900 schools to highlight the education point more and providing all necessary facilities under one roof.

"These schools are being set up with the intention of providing top notch education, state of, the art facilities, and better learning environments on par with private schools, " Bangarappa said. The additional KPS project is set to be carried out at a cost of around 3, 500 crore, which is a clear indication of the government's long term pledge to the public education system's rejuvenation.

The minister further said that the Karnataka Public Schools will house pre, primary, primary, and secondary education all in one campus, thus enabling the students to easily continue their education without any disruption. Besides, the scheme is also going to raise the government school enrolments and increase the level of education statewide.

Furthermore, Bangarappa mentioned that the launching of the newly approved Karnataka Public Schools will be at the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's hands in Shivamogga district, most probably, February or March. The distribution of textbooks and notebooks for free, together with the development of KPS schools, is being considered as a huge move towards inclusive and fair education in Karnataka.