Pune: In a bid to promote literacy and literary culture amongst the tribal schools, the State Government has recently approved the establishment of libraries at around 168 schools for tribal students across the state.
While the proposal for the same had been made in 2016-17, as per the approval given this year, libraries would be set up at 12 English medium ashram schools, 14 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) and 142 Higher Secondary ashram schools. In adherence with the said proposal, the government has approved for a budgetary provision of Rs 8 crore for the same.
Along with academic reference books, the library will also include books for competitive examinations, story books, novels, magazines, etc.
“The idea of setting up libraries at these schools is certainly welcome, but the government must see to it that the books at these libraries reflect the tribal culture. They should also have stories about tribal people, leaders, revolutionaries, etc” said tribal activist Dr Sanjay Dabhade of Adivasi Adhikar Rashtriya Manch.
“Only establishing a library is not enough, as the role and functions of the libraries have stretched beyond the traditional ones. The government needs to take help from experts to facilitate the same. Teachers’ participation is a must here,” he added.
“In the last four-five years, the condition of many ashram schools has improved. The newly built schools are the ones that are mostly included in this programme, where the set-up is new and more up-to-date. Hence, establishment of libraries here would be easy to manage,” said tribal activist Ravindra Talpe.
Talpe is also the regional secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party’s Adivasi Front.
“I believe that these libraries should focus on getting more books catering to the needs of competitive examinations and general knowledge, to prepare the students from the tribal areas as well for the competitive examinations,” the activist said.
