CM launches free text book distribution programme

OUR BUREAU

GUWAHATI, Dec 10: Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today launched the exercise of distribution of free text books for the academic year 2016 at a function held at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra.

This is a sequel of the Government initiatives to make education universal and affordable. Under this exercise free text books to be given from pre-primary to Class-VIII standard and around 53 lakh students of the State will be benefitted.

Speaking on the occasion Chief Minister Gogoi said that the main objective of launching the initiative early is to ensure timely distribution of the text books to the students. He said that the Government has taken the decision to include pre-primary level within the ambit of free-text books distribution to make primary education qualitative because a quality primary education leads to the foundation of quality higher education. Gogoi also commented that right to education should be fundamental to all and this was guiding force for the Government to launch Right to Education. Chief Minister Gogoi moreover said that Government is complementing steps to set up skill development institutions more in the State along with a university exclusively for skill development.

Education Minister Sarat Borkotoky also spoke on the occasion. Parliamentary Secretary, Education Rakibuddin Ahmed, Principal Secretary Education Paban Borthakur, Commissioner and Secretary elementary education Preetom Saikia, Maging Director RMSA RC Jain along with other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

Assam State Text Book Production and Publication Corporation Limited also handed over a cheque worth Rs 10 lakh to the Chief Minister as dotion to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.