Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Dec 5: In a move set to benefit economically weaker students, the Karnataka School Education Department has announced that government school and pre-university (PU) college students will receive free notebooks along with textbooks from the next academic year, Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa said.

“Currently, the government provides free textbooks to all students and supplies uniforms through the state education department. However, without notebooks, students could not effectively write what teachers taught in class, and parents often struggled financially to provide them. This made it difficult for students to complete homework and maintain class notes,” the minister explained. “Hence, the government has decided to provide six free notebooks for six subjects to every student in government schools and PU colleges.”

About 90% of students in government schools and colleges come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. While free textbooks have been available to pre-university students, they had to purchase notebooks separately, adding to the financial strain on families. The new initiative will ensure students have the essential tools for learning and completing homework.

Minister Bangarappa said the move is intended to improve classroom learning, reduce financial pressure on parents, and support students in maintaining proper notes for each subject. “With these notebooks, students will be able to follow lessons effectively, write homework, and build a strong academic foundation,” he added.

The initiative is part of the state government’s continued efforts to make education more accessible and inclusive, ensuring that no student is left behind due to financial constraints.