Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 6 Apr: Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan reviewed the functioning of the Education Department at the Secretariat here today and, on this occasion, directed that all the government schools in the state must be equipped with essential basic facilities. He instructed the Education Secretary to establish book banks in schools, where books can be returned after completion of the academic session and redistributed to students in the following year. He added that the books that are damaged or not returned for any reason will be reprinted according to demand. This initiative, he observed, would save crores of rupees annually otherwise spent on printing thousands of new books.
Bardhan also directed that construction of the classrooms and the hostels in cluster schools be expedited with funding support from NABARD. He emphasised that electricity, drinking water and toilets must be ensured in every school and also stressed the need for a permanent solution to toilet cleanliness. He asked officials to devise a mechanism for regular maintenance of toilets and to arrange separate funding for this purpose.
The CS further instructed that digital libraries be also established in schools to provide the students with wider access to books and knowledge resources. He said digital libraries would open opportunities for students to read extensively and enhance their learning.
Among those present at the review meeting were Education Secretary Ravinath Raman, Director of Secondary Education Dr Mukul Kumar Sati and other senior officials.
