In the next academic session, free textbooks will be available to students in government and aided private schools on time. Education Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat directed that the tender process for the purchase of free textbooks be initiated immediately. Reports regarding the distribution of free textbooks have also been requested from all districts. School Education Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat reviewed the department’s work at his official residence on Friday. He stated that textbooks, exercise books, uniforms, school bags, and other reading materials are being distributed free of charge to students studying in government schools in the state. Under this scheme, funds for uniforms and school bags are transferred directly to students’ accounts through DBT. The department delivers textbooks and exercise books directly to schools.
He stated that during field visits, parents complained about the lack of textbooks in many schools in remote areas. In view of this, he directed the Director General of Education to call for reports from all districts and provide them within a week. The tender process for the purchase of textbooks for the upcoming academic session will begin immediately. It will be completed within a month so that textbooks can be made available to schools as soon as the session begins. He directed officials to expedite the selection process for students across the state under the Educational Tour Scheme and send them on tours. He also requested a progress report from officials on the reconstruction of schools damaged by the disaster.
Disaster Relief Fund Not Utilized
He expressed displeasure that the government provided funds to all districts under the Disaster Relief Fund, but construction work has not yet begun. In this regard, he directed the Director General of Education to review construction work in all districts online and expedite the work. The meeting also directed the initiation of the recruitment process for Class IV positions to be filled through outsourcing.
The recruitment process for primary teachers will begin soon.
In a review meeting, Departmental Minister Dr. Rawat directed officials to begin the recruitment process for vacant primary teacher positions soon. He stated that approximately 2,100 primary teacher positions are currently vacant across the state. The High Court has imposed a stay on filling 451 of these positions. Departmental officials have been directed to issue a notification to fill the remaining vacant positions. They have also been directed to initiate the process of adjusting teachers serving in remote areas for long periods to vacant positions in accessible districts. Under the new recruitment process, selected primary teachers will be assigned their initial postings in remote areas.
Director General of Education Deepti Singh, Additional Secretary MM Semwal, Director SCERT Bandana Garbyal, Director Primary Education Ajay Kumar Nautiyal, Director Secondary Education Dr. Mukul Sati, Under Secretary Vikas Srivastava, and Finance Officer Virendra Kumar were present at the meeting.
