Lucknow, Oct 12 (IANS): With cases of eve teasing and harassment against girls increasing in the state, the UP government has set rolling an ambitious scheme of self-defence training in primary government schools.

According to officials, a sum of Rs.2.90 crore has been sanctioned under the training head for the 484 schools identified in the first phase.

Other than judo and karate, girls would also be imparted taekwondo training, an official told IANS.

All district education officials have been asked to begin the martial arts classes soon.

"We have fixed the beginning date to Oct 20 under which every school will select 10 girl students," said Atul Kumar, Projects Director of the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyaan.

The three-day-a-week training would be imparted in a six month module, at the end of which the girls would be fit enough to defend and to attack eve teasers, an official said.

The trainer will be paid Rs.6,000 a month.

Uttar Pradesh has been in the throes of unprecedented crime against girls off late. The Allahabad High Court had aired its concern on the safety of girls.