In an effort to lighten the load of students’ school bags, the Department of School Education and Literacy in Karnataka is contemplating to ask students to carry a single notebook for multiple subjects or note sheets instead of conventional notebooks.
Addressing the media in Bengaluru on Wednesday, minister for school education and literacy, Madhu Bangarappa said that in the first phase, the department split textbooks into two parts—pre mid-term vacation and post mid-term vacation—for the current academic year. This initiative, along with the introduction of “No Bag Day” every third Saturday, aims to reduce the weight of school bags.
Going a step further, the department is now considering single notebooks or note sheets. “To unburden students, we have divided the textbooks into two parts, and now we are experimenting with notebooks. Samples will be released in the next three months.”
Officials from the department explained that the plan involves distributing note sheets for students to take notes when at school. They can return home and organize it into folders subject-wise.
Free Coaching for competitive exams
Starting this academic year, the department will offer free coaching for competitive exams, including NEET and KCET for pre-university students in government colleges across the state. An entrance test will be conducted to select the top 25,000 students who are eligible for this program. A budget of Rs12.5 crore has been allocated for it.
To promote science education, the department is introducing the “Maru Sinchana” program in 93 aspirational taluks in Karnataka, providing special science instruction.
To address irregular attendance in government schools, the minister announced the upcoming implementation of a face recognition system for attendance. This system will be linked to the Students Achievement Tracking System (SATS) and will be launched on a trial basis soon.
