Mangaluru: 9.7 lakh kids enrolled in GP libraries

MANGALURU: To ensure children stay connected with books amid the pandemic, the rural development and panchayat raj department is reviving libraries in gram panchayats through the Oduva Belaku programme, which was launched in November last year.
So far, nearly 9.7 lakh children have enrolled themselves in libraries across the state and borrowed 2.6 lakh books.
Priyanka Mary Francis, commissioner, rural development and panchayat raj department, told STOI children are the most affected, socially, emotionally and academically, by the pandemic. “Schools have remained closed and the learning that has been imparted to them for all these years is fading. In the worst case, kids are being pushed into child marriage and child labour, as reported by various media outlets. To prevent further damage, it is the need of the hour to revive GP libraries as knowledge centres of rural areas. The initiative was launched under the guidance of principal secretary Uma Mahadevan,” she said.
“We are aiming for 100% enrolment of children in the age group of 6-18. Enrolment at GP libraries is for free. Panchayats have been directed to have in place a separate children’s section, with books specifically chosen for the age group of 6-18. Libraries that are given a facelift can have new and used books which are in a decent condition, provided by well-wishers and NGOs. Digital libraries are also being set up. Activities must be taken up to develop scientific temper among children, and NGOs can contribute in this regard. Efforts should be made to sustain libraries as knowledge centres, even after the pandemic,” Francis said.
The number of digital library users is 42,507, and gram panchayats have collected around 3.2 lakh books through donations.
Libraries asked to install TVs
Of 6,009 GPs, 5,622 have libraries. They have also been asked to install television sets so that children can attend classes telecast on Doordarshan Chandana. Many panchayats have taken up innovative measures to help students in remote areas.
Udupi zilla panchayat CEO Y Naveen Bhat said nearly 40 libraries in the district have been upgraded in the first phase. “We have also created at least six new libraries in panchayat buildings. GPs have been asked to reserve at least Rs 2 lakh for this project. GPs are creating WiFi hotspots in library/panchayat halls for students attending online classes in remote villages,” he added.