Dehradun: Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan, during a review meeting of the Education Department at the Secretariat, directed officials to ensure basic facilities in all government schools across the state. He instructed the department to establish book banks and digital libraries in schools and accelerate building construction works.
The Chief Secretary directed the Education Secretary to establish book banks in all schools. He said that after passing their classes, students would be able to return their books to the book bank, from where they could be provided to other students in the next academic session. He added that new books should be printed as required to replace damaged or unavailable books. This would help reduce the expenditure of crores of rupees spent annually on printing new books.
Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan also directed officials to speed up the construction of classrooms and hostels in cluster schools. He said financial arrangements should be ensured through NABARD.
He instructed officials to ensure basic facilities such as electricity, water, and toilets in all schools. He also emphasized creating a permanent system for maintaining cleanliness in school toilets. The Chief Secretary said an effective mechanism should be developed for regular cleaning of toilets, along with separate financial arrangements.
During the meeting, he also directed the establishment of digital libraries in schools. He said digital libraries would provide students with opportunities to read more books and expand their knowledge.
The meeting was attended by Secretary Ravinath Raman, Director of Secondary Education Dr. Mukul Kumar Sati, and other senior officials.
