Free books for 2.5 lakh class IX, X students
Students from the SEBC category and economically backward students from general category will benefit from the scheme
By Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Monday, January 05, 2009 (Ahmedabad Mirror : http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20City§id=3&contentid=20090105200901050349508558f3cc6b6)
The state education department has decided to distribute free books to class IX and X students in the state from the next academic year beginning in June. Students from the socially and educationally backward classes (SEBC) and economically backward students from the general category will benefit under the state government’s scheme, which will cost the government Rs 10 crore.However, the scheme is applicable to students studying in grant-in-aid and government run schools only.
Till now, the state was distributing free text-books to students belonging to Schedule Tribes (ST) and Schedule Castes (SC) up till class VIII. The commissioner, mid-day meal and schools, Gandhinagar has informed all district education officers to furnish details of students entitled to the scheme. At least 2.5 lakh students are expected to benefit from the scheme.According to an official in the state education department, the new scheme help lower the drop-out rate among students. Parents will save up to Rs 800-1,000 on the expense on books.
