The
department will facilitate availability of reading materials and also provide
equitable access to books, reading information and information technology. “The
main objective is to inculcate the reading habit, provide reading material to
teachers and students, enable students to read and explore and reduce
dependence on e-content and facilitate reading material to schools,” Director G
P Bhat said.
To be
eligible for funding, a school should have a minimum of 250 students enrolled
from Class V to Class X, and have a minimum 5000 library books besides
sufficient room or a hall for a library.
In yet
another circular, the department has sanctioned watchmen to all government and
aided schools to ensure safety of children, particular girl students within the
campus. Bhat stated that the watchmen will have to strictly guard the schools’
main gates, its properties and stop the entry of strangers.
“The
watchman should take utmost care that children are duly protected from any
eventualities and disturbances. The management should be informed on any
disturbing situation,” he said adding that the implementation comes with effect
from the current academic year.
The
appointment of librarian and watchman under the two separate schemes is set to
begin soon.

