JOIN USState students to get unique ID numbers
The unique identification numbers being given to schoolchildren in Karnataka by the Education department will serve as their base number up to their pre-university education.
Speaking to reporters in Bangalore, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Vishweshwara Hedge Kageri said all students of classes one to 10 in government, aided and private schools across the State would be given a unique 16-digit number before the end of November. One crore numbers have already been prepared and would be issued to students shortly.
“These Aadhaar-like permanent identification numbers will help us keep track of the performance of students as well as their welfare. It will serve as their base identification number till they complete their pre-university education. We have approached the Higher Education department with the proposal that the IDs of students be continued during their higher studies, too,” Kageri said.
The minister said the numbering system would also help the department to check the dropout rate, enforce the Right to Education Act, plan student welfare programmes, check misuse of government schemes such as distribution of free textbooks, uniforms, bicycles and scholarships.
However, no separate identification card would be given to students. At present, the Education department is collecting details of all students studying in the State. They include a photograph, date of birth, birthplace, parents’ details and residential address. The details will be posted on the department website soon, he said.
Chess Day
The minister said ‘World Chess Day’ would be observed on November 30 in 15,000 high schools across the State. On that day, teachers would inform students about the importance of the game, its genesis and the role it can play in personality development.
Besides, chess competitions will be organised at the school level. The day’s theme would be ‘Chaduranga Aata Aadi, Chaturaraagi’ (Play chess and become intelligent). Playing chess helps in improving cognitive abilities, rational thinking and reasoning among children, he said.
November 7 will be observed as a day to develop the habit of utilising the library in all primary and high schools, he said. Students will be also encouraged to read stories, novels, quiz books and books on various topics, apart from their textbooks, he said.
Teachers’ recruitment
Kageri said the Finance department had given its approval for the appointment of 4,000 teachers to primary schools in the State and the process would commence next month. As a temporary measure, 4,000 guest teachers would be recruited till permanent teachers are appointed. Guest teachers would be paid a remuneration of Rs 5,000 per month, sources in the Education department said.
Karwar medical college
On the deadline set by Minister for Science and Technology Anand Asnotikar that he would quit the Cabinet if Karwar was deprived of a medical college, Kageri said it was for the Medical Education department to decide the location of the college based on available infrastructure.
Asnotikar had accused Kageri of shifting the proposed medical college from Karwar to his home constituency Sirsi.