From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
 
Bangalore, Oct 25: All the students from Standards I to X studying in educational institutions in Karnataka will be provided with Permanent Identification Numbers (PIN) on the lines of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UDAI)’s Aadhar numbers as part of the drive to check dropout rate and ensure strict enforcement of Right to Education (RTE) Act in all schools in the State.

Announcing the State Government’s decision, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Visveshwara Hegde Kageri said photographs, thumb impressions, particulars of dates of birth, blood group, birthplace as well as details of parents and addresses of all students would be collected for the proposed Student PINs.

The details of each student would be uploaded on to the Education Department’s website before issuing the Student PINs, he said.

Any department of the State Government can access details of students from the website, the minister said.

Preparations have been already made to issue the 16 digit number to students of all government, aided and unaided schools.

Already unique code numbers have been given to some students and the entire exercise is expected to complete by December end, he said.

Kageri said the main objectives of the unique code were to track progress of students, check dropouts, and misuse of government schemes such as distribution of free textbooks and uniforms.

It would also avoid duplication in the admission of students, the Minister said.

The minister disclosed that the State Government has decided to fill 4,000 teachers’ vacancies in Government primary schools.
 

Chess Day in State on November 30
 
He announced that the Government has decided to organise a Chess Day in all government and aided high schools in the State on November 30.

About 15,000 schools would conduct the programme as part of the move to create awareness among students about the game, he said.

He said the Government has sanctioned a medical college to Uttara Kannada district. The college would be established either at Sirsi or Karwar.

Minister for Fisheries, Science and Technology Anand Asnotikar was in favour of the establishment of the college at Karwar, he said.

To develop reading habits among schoolchildren and utilisation of library books, the department has directed all government, aided and unaided primary and high schools in the State to organise a "Thegeyiri Pushataka Horage-Hachhiri Jnanada Divige" programme on November 7.

The main objective of the programme is to create awareness among school-children about utility of library books, he said.

School libraries would be renamed as "Shraddha Vachanalaya," Kageri added.