Will Books and Study Materials Be More Affordable Next Year? CM Mohan Yadav Shares Insights

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Affordability of educational materials is a key focus in Madhya Pradesh.
- Funding of Rs 489 crore has been distributed to support non-government schools.
- Initiatives aim to reduce financial burdens on families.
- The state has been committed to the Right to Education since 2011-12.
- Modernization of government schools is underway, enhancing educational facilities.
Indore, Sep 29 (NationPress) Chief Minister Mohan Yadav declared on Monday that his administration will guarantee that schoolchildren receive affordable books and other educational materials starting next academic year in Madhya Pradesh.
During a program in Dhar district, Yadav announced the transfer of Rs 489 crore to 20,652 non-government schools that enrolled students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds under the Right to Education (RTE) Act.
While addressing attendees, Yadav emphasized that the government covers fees for children enrolled in private schools under the EWS category; however, their parents still incur significant expenses for copies and notebooks, an issue that needs resolution.
“We have committed to ensuring that notebooks, copies, and other educational materials are available at affordable prices, allowing every child to pursue their studies without interruptions,” stated Chief Minister Yadav during the program.
He further noted that the state government has modernized government schools, providing children with various facilities, including fees, laptops, bicycles, and scooters through different initiatives.
The Rs 489 crore allocated to 20,652 non-government schools serves as reimbursement for admissions granted to 8.45 lakh children from economically weaker sections under the Right to Education Act for the previous academic year 2023-2024.
This funding was extended to non-government or non-aided schools that met the criteria of offering free admission to at least 25 percent of students from disadvantaged backgrounds in entry-level classes.
“The fees we are depositing today represent not just a monetary sum, but a fixed deposit for the bright future of our children. This is a crucial step toward ensuring a secure future for them,” added the Chief Minister.
Since the introduction of the 'Right to Education' in 2011-12, approximately 19 lakh children have benefited, with the state government reimbursing Rs 3,000 crore for their fees to date, according to the Madhya Pradesh government.
On this occasion, Chief Minister Yadav also conducted a 'bhoomi-poojan' and inaugurated various developmental projects while overseeing the distribution of benefits to recipients under different welfare programs.