The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Boys studying in government schools too will get bicycles

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 15, 2006
ePaper

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Boys studying in government schools too will get bicycles

Staff Reporter

Chief Minister highlights achievements in education sector on Children's Day

BANGALORE: Boys studying in government schools will soon be riding bicycles to school, like their Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa announced at the Children's Day celebrations organised at Kanteerava Stadium here on Tuesday.

The Government did not indulge in gender discrimination. In less than two months, it would begin gifting bicycles to both boys and girls, Mr Yediyurappa said.

Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy watched the cultural programmes presented by children, in the company of Mr. Yediyurappa and Primary Education Minister B.S. Horatti.

He said that the Government was committed to providing quality education and had already initiated several programmes that showed its commitment.

After the Janata Dal (S)-Bharatiya Janata Party coalition Government came into being, 485 high schools had been opened and permission granted to 214 junior colleges. A sum of Rs. 200 crore had been set aside for starting first grade colleges in the rural areas, he said.

Appointments of teachers to primary and high schools where there were vacancies were under progress. Last week, 2,515 rural libraries were inaugurated, adding to the 3,600 existing ones, in order to inculcate reading habit in children who study in Kannada medium. Children should be rooted to their culture and heritage. It was not merely a luxury to be enjoyed by those studying in English medium schools, Mr. Kumaraswamy said.

To counter the assault on young minds from television and cinema, it was important to provide them access to the cultural and historical wealth and the beauty of indigenous art and mythology, he said.

Mr. Kumaraswamy advised children to internalise the 10-point formula of President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, which would help them carve their own "bright future" and prepare them to become the future citizens of India.

Mr. Yediyurappa said the Government had plans to introduce yoga in schools and make it mandatory, since studies had established that practising yoga was beneficial for physical and mental growth, he said. The literacy rate in the State had increased from 65 per cent in 2001 to 75 per cent now. It was slated to touch 85 per cent in 2007, he said.

A variety of song and dance programmes were presented by schoolchildren. Apart from "Nada Geethe" and sequences celebrating the State's an eye-catching item was the one that celebrated the schemes launched by the Government for schoolchildren. As many as 90 students who won medals for sports events at the national level were given cash awards amounting to Rs. 6.35 lakh.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka