From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Sep 14: Reopening of physical classes for 1 to 5 Standards will depend on the Covid pandemic situation in the State, Primary and Secondary Education Minister B S Nagesh said on Tuesday.
The Minister said there were no reports of Covid 19 third wave in the State so far. However, the Covid Task Force is seriously studying the issue and the State Government is very cautious, he said.
He explained that the physical classes for Standards 6 to 8 have been already started. “We are examining all issues including adherence to the Covid guidelines,’’ he said.
Addressing the 55th International Literacy Week 2021 in Vidhana Soudha under the joint auspices of the State and Central Public Instruction Directorate and the State Education Department, he said the State Government was keen to ensure that Karnataka becomes fully literate and urged all sections to join hands in the efforts.
He also released ‘Balige Belaku’ primer and ‘Bareyonda Banni’ exercise book and other teaching aids under the Union Government’s ‘Padna-Likhna’ campaign and the district sector link literacy programme for the year 2021-22.
The adult education classes which had been stopped on account of Covid pandemic during the last 18 months is being resumed and priority is being given to increase literacy. Efforts are being made to start teaching classes for adults and provide all other facilities.
Special attention is being given to districts such as Raichuru, Yadgir, Kalaburgi, Vijayapura and Chamarajanagar which have higher illiteracy rates under the Union government’s ‘’Padna-Likhna’’ campaign.
The minister said it was necessary to ensure that all the adult population was literate especially when the county is celebrating the Amrit Mahotsav of India’s independence and urged all non-governmental agencies and corporates to join in the efforts to enhance literacy in the country.
Primary and Secondary Education Department Principal Secretary S R Umashankar, Public Instruction Directorate Director Sushma Godbole, Deputy Commissioners and Chief Executive officers of Districts along with Education Department officials participated in the programme.