Karnataka to expand 'Learning Guarantee' programme

The state government has announced that it will expand the 'Learning Guarantee Programme' under the Azim Premji Foundation to 1,000 schools across the state.

Announcing this in Bangalore at the 'National Conference on Enhancing Learning in Elementary Schools' jointly organised by Azim Premji Foundation and Ministry of Human Resource Development, chief minister Dharam Singh said: "This programme has been successful in North East Karnataka. Taking this forward, the state government will offer its support to extend the same model to 1,000 schools across Karnataka."

Delivering his keynote address, President of India A P J Abdul Kalam said that it is crucial that NGOs such as Azim Premji Foundation should play crucial role in the development of the society and this will enable the dropout ratio to be stemmed and literacy levels to grow.

Kalam also called upon the teachers to teach with righteousness and teach righteousness to bring down corruption in the society. "It is impossible to wipe out corruption. But if you mould a child at the primary level with righteousness, it is possible to stem the corruption levels," he said.

Earlier, delivering his inaugural address, Azim Premji said: "The time has come to change our thinking and our paradigms and make breakthroughs in the issue of optimum learning solutions. We no longer have the luxury of time. Global challenges are forcing the pace on us. It is imperative that our schools and educational institutes create an environment in which the required intellectual, physical, social and moral attributes can be developed, cherished and nurtured."