E-books may reach Karnataka govt schools

With a view to empower school teachers, the Karnataka Knowledge Commission (KKC) has recommended state government to provide digital books to all government school teachers.

The commission intends to encourage the usage of technology in teaching practices.

KKC president Dr Kasturi Rangan and secretary Dr MK Sridhar said the commission had also recommended to accord university status to department of state educational research and training (DSERT), Bangalore. “The state should give more scope to DSERT,” said Rangan and Sridhar.

The commission also asked the state government to formulate a higher education policy. “Now, there is no clear cut policy. If the higher education policy is framed, then higher education will be streamlined and the quality of education will improve,” said Sridhar.

The KKC also wants the setting up of a capacity building centre to train PU college lecturers. It also advised the state to direct all universities to introduce new and modern courses at undergraduate and post-graduate levels. It also asked the government to set up a knowledge network and to popularise the usage of internet in rural areas by arranging mobile internet libraries.

“We have also received letter from National Innovative Council and we felt it is necessary to set up state innovation councils. We will call a one-day meeting and come to a final decision in this regard,” said Rangan.

He also said that Kannada Wikipedia portal Kanaja will be ready and available for people by February-end.