MoE considering to revise cost of uniform; textbooks provided to school going children
Srinagar, Jun 23: In a significant development, the Department of Education and Literacy (DSEL) in the Ministry of Education (MoE) Government of India is considering revising the cost of the textbooks and school uniforms provided to the school going children.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the nod was given by the DSEL in the recently held Project Approval Board (PAB) meeting of J&K's School Education department (SED) while considering the plan for 2023-24 financial year.
As per the official document, the representatives of J&K SED have raised the issue of funds provided by the MoE through Samagra Shiksha for printing of textbooks which are later distributed among school going children free of cost.
Since, for the last many years, the cost of textbooks is Rs. 250 for classes 3rd to 5th primary and Rs. 400 for classes 6th to 8th, which needs to be revised as Rs. 400 and Rs. 600 respectively.
“The enhancement in rates will help the department to improve the quality and quality of paper textbooks may be provided to students through JKBOSE,” the official document reads.
Over the years, complaints have been pouring in from different quarters regarding the paper quality of the textbooks printed by JK Board of School Education (BOSE).
“Now the issue has been taken up with MoE and we are expecting a positive development in this regard,” a top official said.
Also, the J&K representative, during the PAB meeting, raised the issue of funds provided by the DSEL for procurement of uniforms for the school children.
As per the existing policy, free Rs. 600 are provided for two sets of uniform, in J&K being given to students through Direct Bank Transfer (DBT)mode.
“The amount is very less and may kindly be revised as Rs. 1200 (i.e Rs. 600 per set of uniform,” the J&K representatives, as per the minutes of the meeting, informed the Secretary DSEL.
As per the minutes of the meeting, the Secretary DSEL has informed the J&K representatives that a student friendly decision will be taken in this regard.
“We will make it friendly after due consultation with all the States and UTs after due approval in the EFC,” read the minutes of the meeting—(KNO)
