TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: After a delay of 20 days since the schools reopened for the new academic year, around 87,000 primary students in government and aided schools will be distributed coupons to buy raincoats and exercise notebooks from Monday.
Officials in the department of Education informed that Class I-IV students will be given coupons worth Rs 130 and Rs 35 per head to exchange for the two requirements from the assistant district education inspectors in their respective talukas. Total four distributors have been selected for distributions of raincoats while two for supply of notebooks.
It is learnt that agencies have been awarded the tenders to ensure every student avails the benefit through coupon system. Over 51,600 note books and around 34,900 raincoats have been estimated for distribution among the students.
The delay is attributed to the election code of conduct for tendering the project and finalization of bidders.
From the first week of July, uniforms would be also made available to these primary schools. Department has already selected two distributors for the supply.
Last year, the Education department was at loggerheads following delay in distribution of books, raincoats and uniforms. Department had taken nearly three months to make these items available to the students.
