Government to set up more schools in less populated areas : Reddy
The Times of India
Bangalore, April 26, 2005

The Karnataka government will set up 218 schools for under-privileged children in lesser populated areas this year, said Primary and Secondary Education Minister R. Ramalinga Reddy on Monday.

Speaking at the fifth anniversary celebration of the Akshara Foundation, he lauded the efforts of the Foundation in partnering with the government to provide education.

On the government’s initiative in education, he said there is a plan to have residential schools for girls in 58 taluks of the state. These efforts, he said, were in tune with the state government’s efforts to improve basic facilities in government schools.

Though the exact numbers were not made available, the drop-out rate in schools across the state had reduced drastically from 10 lakh in 2001. Measures like mid-day meals, Chinnara Angalas have acted as key agents in reducing student drop-out rate. This year alone, the State Government had established 2300 Chinnara Angalas, the minister said.

The Chairperson of Akshara Foundation, Rohini Nilekani, said that in the last five years the foundation had catered to a lakh student so far. There are also plans to bring more children under the ambit of the foundation’s activities, she added.